I took a quick picture of the caterpillar, I didn't have time for more pictures. I didn't even know what it was exactly. Work, obligations and only later did I sit down to investigate this little guy.It caught my attention because it was on the concrete, on our terrace.
Cossus cossus is a moth of the family Cossidae. It is found in Northern Africa, Asia and Europe,known here as a "vrbotočac"Caterpillar are extremely voracious and massive caterpillars that spend between 2 and 4 years hidden deep inside the tree, feeding on its trunk.They are among the largest caterpillars in Europe. They can reach a length of up to 10 centimeters and be as thick as a human finger.
Smell They secrete a specific, pungent excretory smell that resembles vinegar or the smell of a goat (which is why it is called Goat moth in English).
They have a black, shiny head with extremely strong jaws (mandibles) with which they can easily bite through the hardest wood.
Unlike ordinary caterpillars that gnaw leaves, the larvae of the weevil bore long longitudinal corridors inside the trunk itself. One tree can inhabit up to several dozen of these caterpillars. By destroying the conducting vessels, they interrupt the flow of sap, so the attacked tree dries out, and due to the drilled channels, it loses its static strength and breaks easily under gusts of wind.
I know that every animal, big or small, has its place in the world. But as a gardener and someone who has an orchard, I know that this little one is my new enemy :)
I use:
Samsung Galaxy A14 with 50MP camera.
Thanks for reading.
Until next time.
Stay healthy.
Markone85.
