Acanthocampa is a junior synonym for Gonimbrasia

Species within the Acanthocampa Genus are of African origin.

DISTRIBUTION:

Gonimbrasia conradsi flies in Africa. Julius Busingye reports it from Uganda. Eric van Schayck reports it from Malawi. Steve Kohll sends larval image (below) from Burundi, Forêt de la Kibira. Thierry Bouyer confirms it from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I suspect it would also be present in western Tanzania. David Bygott confirms it in Rwanda.

Gonimbrasia conradsi, Mount Sabyinyo, Virunga Volcano, Rwanda,
8000 f, courtesy of David Bygott.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Gonimbrasia conradsi larvae feed on Mangifera indica, Eucalyptus ficifolia and Rhus.

Gonimbrasia conradsi (male), Malawi, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Eclosion is from underground pupae.

Both sexes fly at night with the males coming in to lights around midnight, the scenting time of the females.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Larvae pupate under soil near base of trees.

Gonimbrasia conradsi Burundi, Forêt de la Kibira, courtesy of Steve Kohll.

Larval Food Plants

It is hoped that this alphabetical listing followed by the common name of the foodplant will prove useful. The list is not exhaustive. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile.

Mangifera indica Eucalyptus ficifolia......... Rhus

Mango Red Flowering Gum Sumac

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The pronunciation of scientific names is troublesome for many. The "suggestion" at the top of the page is merely a suggestion. It is based on commonly accepted English pronunciation of Greek names and/or some fairly well accepted "rules" for latinized scientific names.

The suggested pronunciations, on this page and on other pages, are primarily put forward to assist those who hear with internal ears as they read.

There are many collectors from different countries whose intonations and accents would be different.

Some of the early describers/namers chose genus and species names indicating some character of the insect, but more often, they simply chose names from Greek or Roman mythology or history.

Those species names which end in "ensis" indicate a specimen locale, and those which end in "i", pronounced "eye", honour a contempory friend/collector/etc.

The genus name Gonimbrasia means "angled one liking rain" according to Pinhey.

The species name conradsi is honourific for Conrads (don't know).