We hope you have enjoyed the SRGC Forum. You can make a Paypal donation to the SRGC by clicking the above button

Author Topic: Caterpillar found. Kill or not kill?  (Read 797 times)

fixpix

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 149
  • Country: ro
Caterpillar found. Kill or not kill?
« on: April 17, 2015, 06:58:45 PM »
Hello everyone,
Found this caterpillar around my garden. I put it in a pot (plastic, but with holes) and put some dirt on top.
I googled and looks a lot like Cossus cossus - goat moth.
I understand this is a pest, attacking fruit trees (their bark).
But... should I kill it?
Is it something rather rare or no-one will miss it?
It's the first time I see such a thing around the garden.

Some of my creations :)
http://edenium.sunphoto.ro/

Anthony Darby

  • Bug Buff & Punster
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9647
  • Country: nz
Re: Caterpillar found. Kill or not kill?
« Reply #1 on: April 18, 2015, 01:21:44 AM »
The are quite rare. In 30 years of moth trapping in Scotland I never saw one. Never in enough numbers to be a pest. It, and where it was feeding, should smell strongly of goat, hence goat moth.
Anthony Darby, Auckland, New Zealand.
"Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution"
http://www.dunblanecathedral.org.uk/Choir/The-Choir.html

fixpix

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 149
  • Country: ro
Re: Caterpillar found. Kill or not kill?
« Reply #2 on: April 18, 2015, 05:07:41 AM »
Hello Anthony,
Thanks. I think i was going to let it be.
About the smell, I may be insensitive to it, since my parents have now 3 goats with 5 babies around :)

Mom feeding them. Excuse the attire ;)
Some of my creations :)
http://edenium.sunphoto.ro/

 


Scottish Rock Garden Club is a Charity registered with Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR): SC000942
SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal