COSSUS LIGNIPEHDA. 



GOAT-MOTH. 

 Plate VII. Figure 3. 



THIS great moth measures no less than from a little 

 under three inches to three and three quarters across. 

 Male: front wings a mixture of rather pale and darker 

 brown of different shades, and grey or greyish white, 

 crossed with slender waved lines irregularly disposed; 

 a few short lines within the upper edge, two or three 

 slender ones near the tip, and one larger and longer 

 one a little way within these, darker than the others. 

 Hind wings pale ash grey, marked similarly but less 

 distinctly with waved lines. 



Localities for this species are Ely, Bromsgrove, Ivy 

 Farm near Neatishead, Lambourne, East Garston, Bristol, 

 Gloucester, Kimbolton, and near London, &c., &c., &c. 



The dates of the appearance of the perfect insect are 

 the end of June and beginning and middle of July. 



The caterpillar is dull pale yellowish red; the back 

 chesnut red. 



The date of the appearance of the caterpillar is in 

 September and October, but it remains sometimes as 

 much as three years in this state before turning to 

 chrysalis. 



It feeds on the willow, poplar, and walnut. 



These moths are considered to do considerable damage 

 to trees in the places where they abound; but such 

 damage is more imaginary than real, for the decayed 

 wood they feed on is a symptom, only betrayed by 

 them, of the unsoundness which is the precursor of a 

 fall. 



