Giant Wood Moth (Endoxyla cinereus)
Giant wood moth of the carpenter millers or cossid millers family is a native of Australia and New Zealand. They have a reputation of boring into the wood of eucalyptus trees, hence the name.
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Scientific Classification
- Family: Cossidae
- Genus: Endoxyla
- Scientific Name: Endoxyla cinereus
Description and Identification
Caterpillar
In Australia, most larvae of the wood-eating moths are known as witchety grub because of their worm-like appearance, and this one is no exception. It has a pale brown or whitish segmented body.
When newly emerged, they remain wrapped in silken threads, feeding on their host plants’ roots.
Pupa
The larva mostly bores into species of Eucalyptus trees, making a hole in them, where the pupation phase occurs.
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Adult Moth
Sexual Dimorphism: Males appear smaller than females, being half their size.
Color and Appearance
Forewings: When opened, it is gray with light brown spots. When closed, the brown spots do not appear too prominent.
Hindwings: When opened and closed, the hindwings are brown.
Average Wingspan: 23 cm
Flight Pattern: Not recorded
Season: Not recorded
Egg
The eggs are small, and in a lifetime, the female giant wood moth lays about 20,000 of them.
Quick Facts
| Distribution | Australia (New South Wales and Queensland), New Zealand |
| Habitat | In eucalyptus forests |
| Predators | Bats and birds |
| Lifespan of Adults | One year |
| Host Plants | Eucalyptus |
| Adult Diet | Not recorded |
Did You Know
The giant wood moth species are one of the world’s largest moths, with females weighing about 30 grams.
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Scientific Classification
- Family: Cossidae
- Genus: Endoxyla
- Scientific Name: Endoxyla cinereus
