ABH: 50.001
BF: 162
Family: Cossidae
Subfamily: Cossinae
Taxon: Cossus cossus
Authority: (Linnaeus, 1758)
Vernacular: Goat Moth
Account: A UK BAP species in fens, marshes, river-banks, damp areas, golf courses, heaths and woodland edges in parts of the British Isles, less numerous in the north The larvae feed internally in living wood or pith of a range of broadleaved trees especially those in damp areas, including sallows, willow and poplars, Ash, birches, oaks, Alder, Apple and other fruit trees, and take several years to mature. Sometimes trees in which the Goat Moth is present will be obvious, with multiple entrance holes indicating larval workings.
When full-fed, the larvae leaves the tree it has been feeding in and wanders, looking for a pupation site underground: many records are of such individuals found by walkers. The adult moth very occasionally visits light traps.
Wingspan: male 68 — 84 mm; female 88 — 96 mm
Surrey Flight Period: 20 May (2024) — 30 Nov (2022)
Foodplant: Fagus sylvatica (Beech), Fraxinus excelsior (Ash), Populus sp. (a poplar), Quercus petraea (Sessile Oak), Quercus robur (Pedunculate Oak), Salix sp. (a sallow), Ulmus procera (English Elm).
Status: Least Concern (LC)
UK BAP: BAP
WCA:
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Verification Grade: 1 — Relatively easily identified 👌
Further Information: https://www.ukmoths.org.uk/species/cossus-cossus/
* Based on adult records only.
Records: 85
Individuals: 108
Earliest Year: 1869
Latest Year: 2025