Goat moth

The Cossus cossus, commonly known as the goat moth, belongs to the order Lepidoptera and the family Cossidae. This nocturnal moth is recognized as a significant wood-boring pest that can cause severe damage to trees if left unmanaged.

It predominantly infests deciduous trees, including fruit species such as apples, pears, and stone fruits, as well as forest trees like poplars, willows, and oaks. Older, damaged, or stressed trees are particularly susceptible to colonization by this pest.

The life cycle of the goat moth is complex, typically spanning two to three years. The moth lays eggs in bark crevices during the early summer. Upon hatching, the larvae bore into the tree, spending most of their developmental phase feeding within the trunk, which makes them difficult to target.

Damage is caused by the larvae creating extensive galleries or tunnels inside the wood. This structural damage disrupts the flow of nutrients and water, eventually weakening the tree. The presence of the pest is often indicated by sawdust (frass) pushed out of holes and a distinctive goat-like odor emanating from the wood.

• Regular inspection of trunks for entry/exit holes and frass deposits.
• Cleaning and sealing damaged areas with tree wound paint.
• Injecting approved insecticides directly into the larval tunnels using a syringe.
• Removal and destruction of heavily infested, dying trees to prevent spread.
• Encouraging natural predators like woodpeckers in the orchard or garden.

Effective management relies on a combination of cultural practices and targeted interventions. Ensuring that trees remain healthy through proper fertilization and pruning, alongside the prompt treatment of any mechanical injuries, is the best way to prevent successful establishment of the goat moth.