Cossus Collection

Goat moth, Cossus ligniperda, flying near a tulip while a caterpillar feeds on willow bark
FLO4638719 Goat moth, Cossus ligniperda, flying near a tulip while a caterpillar feeds on willow bark. Handcoloured lithograph after an illustration by Moses Harris from "The Aurelian; a Natural

Engraving depicting the life cycle of a Cossus Cossus (Goat Moth), a moth of the family Cossidae, 19th century
5309279 Engraving depicting the life cycle of a Cossus Cossus (Goat Moth), a moth of the family Cossidae, 19th century; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the life cycle of a Cossus Cossus (Goat Moth)

Goatmoth, Cossus cossus. Phalaena cossus. Handcoloured copperplate engraving by Johann Carl Bock from Eugenius Johann Christoph Espers Die Schmetterlinge in Abbildungen nach der Natur, Erlangen, 1786

Three-humped prominent, olive moth and turnip moth
Three-humped prominent, Notodonta tritophus, olive moth, Prays oleae, and turnip moth, Agrotis segetum. Phalaena tritophus, oleagina, segetum

Goat moth, Cossus cossus, moth, caterpillar, eggs and pupa (Phalaena cossus). Illustration drawn and engraved by Richard Polydore Nodder

Citheronia laocoon, Eudesmia menea, and Curoba
Citheronia laocoon 1, lunar eudesmia moth, Eudesmia menea 2, and Curoba sangarida 3. Handcoloured lithograph from John O. Westwoods new edition of Dru Drurys Illustrations of Exotic Entomology, Bohn

Garden tiger moth, goat moth and small emperor moth
Garden tiger moth, Arctia caja 1, goat moth, Cossus cossus 2, and small emperor moth, Saturnia pavonia 3, moth, caterpillar and pupa

Curtis British Entomology Plate 60
Lepidoptera: Cossus ligniperda = Cossus cossus (Goat Moth) Date: 1824-39

The Metamorphoses of the Goat Moth, Cossus ligniperda (engraving)
5224610 The Metamorphoses of the Goat Moth, Cossus ligniperda (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Metamorphoses of the Goat Moth, Cossus ligniperda)

Illus, Cossidae -- Cochliopodidae -- Hepialidae -- Psychidae
Illustration, Cossidae -- Cochliopodidae -- Hepialidae -- Psychidae -- Cossus Ligniperda, Zeuzera Aesculi, Limacodes Testudo, Hepialus Humuli, Hepialus Lupulinus, Hepialus Hectus, Psyche Unicolor

Nests of Ephemera in holes of Cossus

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Cossus is a genus of moths in the family Cossidae, commonly known as carpenterworms. These fascinating insects are known for their wood-boring larvae that tunnel into trees and wooden structures. With their distinctive striped bodies and impressive size, cossus moths are a sight to behold in the wild. These creatures play an important role in forest ecosystems by breaking down dead or decaying wood, helping to recycle nutrients back into the soil. Despite their destructive reputation among homeowners and foresters, cossus moths are actually beneficial insects that contribute to the natural process of decomposition. Cossus larvae can spend several years feeding on wood before emerging as adult moths. Their life cycle is a marvel of nature's resilience and adaptability. From their humble beginnings as tiny eggs laid on tree bark to their eventual transformation into beautiful winged creatures, cossus moths exemplify the wonder and complexity of the insect world. Next time you spot a cossus moth fluttering through your backyard or hear the telltale sound of its larvae munching away inside a tree trunk, take a moment to appreciate these remarkable creatures and all they do for our planet. Let's celebrate the beauty and diversity of nature, one moth at a time.