Goat Moth - Cossus Cossus?

ClarkeRobinson · #1 (**permalink**) 19-08-2009, 08:09 PM

Evening Everyone

At lunchtime at work I was out hunting for dragonflies & damselflies. Just about to leave my spot and I found this caterpillar coming close to me. Not being much of a caterpillar man, I had no idea that any caterpillar could grow so big! My first thought was how long it would take a blue tit family to have lunch on one of these bad boys! I was shocked lol. Big, and fast moving, so I didn't get any real arty shots.

At a guess, it looked very much like it was trying to find somewhere to pupate.

So, is this a Cossus Cossus caterpillar?

TIA for any info/confirmation.

Clarke

(Pic taken in south-east england).

charlieb · #2 (**permalink**) 19-08-2009, 08:56 PM

Yes I think it is - it isn't particularly common either, whereabouts was this taken?

Adam Cheeseman · #3 (**permalink**) 19-08-2009, 10:14 PM

Yes it is. Worth reporting it to the county recorder. A Notable b listed species Where was it seen incidentally?

Cheers,

Adam

ClarkeRobinson · #4 (**permalink**) 19-08-2009, 10:26 PM

Hi again

I took the photo near Feltham, on the Outskirts of London.
How would I get in touch with the county recorder?

Adam Cheeseman · #5 (**permalink**) 19-08-2009, 10:28 PM

It wasn't at Bedfont Lakes Country Park where I work was it?

Cheers,

Adam

UB4 gardener · #6 (**permalink**) 19-08-2009, 11:44 PM

the only adult goat moth i have seen was when i was helping at a moth night at Bedfont Lakes. only time i have seen Obscure Wainscot too.

Chris

ClarkeRobinson · #7 (**permalink**) 20-08-2009, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

It wasn't at Bedfont Lakes Country Park where I work was it?

I'm afraid not. It was on private land.

Thanks for all the info folks!

Clarke

charlieb · #8 (**permalink**) 20-08-2009, 10:03 AM

If you want to get in touch with the county recorder, visit this site: County Moth Recorders - Moths Count and have a look at "# County Moth Recorder list - County format"

ClarkeRobinson · #9 (**permalink**) 20-08-2009, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlieb

If you want to get in touch with the county recorder, visit this site: County Moth Recorders - Moths Count and have a look at "# County Moth Recorder list - County format"

Thanks Charlie, I'll take a look at that.

Adam Cheeseman · #10 (**permalink**) 20-08-2009, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClarkeRobinson

I'm afraid not. It was on private land.

Thanks for all the info folks!

Clarke

Hi Clarke,

Could you PM me with the site and sighting details as I am one of the people responsible for maintaining the borough's Recorder biological database. Your sighting of this caterpillar constitutes a new confirmed breeding site in London. I can also pass this info on to Colin Plant who is the county recorder for Herts. and Middx.

Many thanks,

Adam