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Goat Moth Caterpillar

Cossus cossus

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55.6265, 12.1857

Field Notes

Description:

The Goat Moth (Cossus cossus) is a moth of the family Cossidae, native to Europe.
This is a large heavy moth with a wingspan of 68–96 mm. The wings are grayish brown and marked with fine dark cross lines. The moth flies from April to August depending on the location.
The caterpillars feed in the trunks and branches of a wide variety of trees, taking three or four years to mature.

Habitat:

Found this giant larva on a small path in a field with different kind of bush and decidious tree species.

Notes:

Considered a Roman delicacy after it was fed with flour. (Wikipedia)

Reference Links:

Cossus cossus

Species ID Suggestions

The Goat Moth

Cossus cossus
Sintija Valucka
2

Comments (8)
Tiz
Nice info! I had no idea we had that "up there"! I hope I find one one day :) A pity to eat something like this :P
Sintija Valucka
but at least it is colourful in this (caterpillar) stage :)
FaredinAliyevski
Hahah, google knows too much! Yea unfortunately it turned out to be depressing moth :)
Sintija Valucka
I don't know a single word in Danish, but google is very smart :) I had an idea that it will be some kind of a butterfly, I just hoped for something more colourful :)
FaredinAliyevski
Hahaha, do you know some Danish or google translate? :) I wouldn't guess this giant would be a moth caterpillar, I thought it was some big beetle larva.
Sintija Valucka
Det var så lidt! :) A few days ago I found one of these myself, that is when I found out what it is :) And it really is huge!!!

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Scandinavian's Biodiversity
Mission
European Butterflies and Moths
Mission
Moths of the World
Mission
National Geographic's Great Nature Project
Mission
Danish wildlife
Photographed
PublishedAugust 11, 2013

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