2023 Annual Report for: Cossidae / Cossinae
For species seen in 2023 that had less than or equal to 100 records, full details are included; for more common species, the earliest, latest and highest count by vice-county are shown. The narrative for each species is taken from the main Hantsmoths website, and it is possible that some information on abundance and occurrence can get out of date, as it is impossible to keep up with all changes; however it should give a good introduction to each species. The tables in each species account summarise the previous status, and that for the current year.
For the maps, all records prior to 2023 are shown by a blue dot (the larger the dot, the more recent), with the current year's records shown in red. As previous records are superimposed on any report for 2023, new sites have greater emphasis (i.e. will show as 'more red').
In the species accounts, an asterisk next to a location indicates a new 10km square record; earliest ever dates are highlighted in orange, and latest ever in red. Initials in the species accounts refer to the recorders listed here. Please get in touch if you identify any omissions or errors, in particular if you have records that have yet to be submitted. Details of how to submit records can be found here.
50.001 [B&F: 0162] Goat Moth Cossus cossus (Linnaeus, 1758) - Nb
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. In Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight mainly confined to the New Forest, with scattered records elsewhere. Wingspan male 68-84 mm, female 88-96 mm. 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.
Records prior to 2023
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | First Record | Last Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 9 | 4 | 1849 | 1992 |
| 11 | 248 | 155 | 1800 | 2022 |
| 12 | 22 | 12 | 1946 | 2022 |
2023 records
| Vice County | #Records | #Individuals | Max Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 30 | 35 | 5 |
| 12 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
Records by year
Records by week (adult)
Records by week (larval)
Record Details
VC11: Moors Valley Country Park, larva, one, field observation, large, about 80-90 mm. , 05 Sep (RSpi); Bransgore, larva, one, field observation, 11 Sep (SPMC); Vales Moor, NF, larva, present, field observation, 20 Aug (PDun); Emery Down, NF, larva, present, field observation, 09 Sep (iNat); Gorley Bushes, Fritham NF, larva, one, field observation, 01 Oct (LBee); Rans Wood, NF, larva, one, field observation, 12 Sep (JShe); Solent Way, Beaulieu, larva, one, field observation, 05 Sep (JNut); Paultons Park, Romsey, larva, present, field observation, 24 Sep (iNat); Needs Ore NNR, one, 01 Jul (PCra); Blackfield, larva, one, field observation, 27 Aug (MPrng); Shirley, Southampton, larva, one, field observation, 05 Sep (JNut); Bransgore, larva, one, field observation, 30 Sep; larva, one, field observation, 02 Aug; larva, one, field observation, 21 Aug; larva, one, field observation, 28 Aug; larva, three, field observation, 02 Sep; larva, one, field observation, 05 Sep; larva, one, field observation, 09 Sep; larva, one, field observation, 18 Sep (SPMC); New Milton, larva, three, field observation, 14 Sep (Unkn. det. MJW); Hordle, NF, larva, one, field observation, 04 Sep (APet); Sway, two, 10 Jun (SKee); Sway, NF, present, 16 Jun (DMui); Lymington, NF, pupa, one, field observation, 07 Sep (LPul); Lymington, one, 10 Jun; one, 23 Jun; one, 26 Jun (ASH); Brook Hill, South Baddesley NF, larva, one, field observation, 03 Sep (JLee); Needs Ore NNR, five, 10 Jun; one, 16 Jun (CNB);
VC12: St Giles Hill, Winchester, larva, present, field observation, 30 Aug (iNat); Blackwater, one, 12 Jun (BGD)