Goat Moth

One of only three species of this family that are found in the British Isles.

The adults are incapable of feeding. The caterpillars live inside the trunks of a variety of broadleaved trees feeding on the wood. They overwinter three or four times as larvae and a final time as pupae.

Size and Family

Family – Leopard and Goat moths (Cossidae)
Large Sized
Wingspan Range – 64-84mm

Conservation status

UK BAP: Priority species
Nationally Scarce B

Caterpillar Food Plants

Under the bark and in the heartwood of a range of broadleaved trees especially those in damp areas, including sallows, willow and poplars, Ash (Fraxinus excelsior), birches, oaks, Alder (Alnus glutinosa), Apple (Malus domestica) and other fruit trees.

Habitat

Riverbanks, fens, marshes, parkland, golf courses, hedgerows and woodland edges.

Distribution

Countries – England, Scotland, Wales
Nationally scarce B. Found in widely scattered locations in eastern England south of the Wash, along the south coast from east Cornwall to Kent and in the Thames Valley and the north-west. Also widely scattered in south Wales. In Scotland predominantly found in the Great Glen and Moray Coast.