Goat moth caterpillar, Cossus cossus
Goat moth caterpillar, Cossus cossus (submitted by NaturePlus user tdcryer)
The goat moth caterpillar gets its name from its distinctive ‘goaty’ odour. It is a rather rare caterpillar, but does have a widespread distribution.
Sometimes taking up to 5 years to become fully grown, it feeds within the trunks of trees that lose their leaves seasonally, such as oak.
The caterpillar feeds in autumn, overwinters in the soil, and emerges in spring to pupate by June or July.
