About Endoxyla cinereus (Tepper, 1890)
Endoxyla cinereus, commonly known as the giant wood moth, is a moth species belonging to the family Cossidae. This species was first formally described in 1890 by Tepper. It can be found in Queensland and New South Wales in Australia, as well as in New Zealand. It is recognized as the heaviest moth in the world, with individuals weighing up to 30 grams. It has an approximate wingspan of 23 centimeters, which equals just over nine inches. The larvae of Endoxyla cinereus bore into the trunks of Eucalyptus trees, and pupation occurs inside the larval tunnels. A rare, recent sighting of this moth at an Australian school gained public attention after it was featured as an editor's pick in the New York Times daily headlines on May 8, 2021.
