DISTRIBUTION: Goodia falcata (wingspan: males: approximately 73-76mm; females probably larger) inhabits Cameroon: Elone (Sud Province) and Yokadouma (Est Province) and Gabon and possibly other west-central African countries. The male to the right was collected in Alembe, Province Moyen-Ogooue, Gabon 20th to 24th January 2003, courtesy of Sebastian Brandner, identification by Thierry Bouyer. Thierry indicates this species and Goodia nubilata fly in the same biotype. They are quite similar in appearance but have distinct genitalia.

Thierry Bouyer confirms this species in Guinea Conakry, Bioko Island of Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Gabon, Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It probably also fies in the People's Republic of the Congo and in forested habitats in all the countries between Guinea Conakry and Cameroon: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, etc.

Goodia falcata males, Gabon, courtesy of Rodolphe Rougerie,
id confirmed by Thierry Bouyer

Visit Goodia falcata male, Yokadouma, Est province, Cameroun, December 13, 2010, courtesy of Michelle Constanza, via Antoine Guyonnet.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

This moth flies in October-November-January in Gabon, and probably at other times in the year. Sebastian Brandner reports it in June-July in southern Cameroon, suggesting at least two-three annual flights.

Goodia falcata, Rabi, November 24, 2006, courtesy of Jerome Teva Paire.

Jean-Louis Albert reports it on the wing in October in Franceville, Gabon. Jerome Teva Paire reports it in Rabi, Gabon, in late November.

Goodia falcata male, courtesy/copyright Thierry Bouyer.

Goodia falcata male, wingspan 74mm, Elone, Cameroon
June 2006, courtesy/copyright Sebastian Brandner.

Goodia falcata male (verso), courtesy/copyright Sebastian Brandner.

Thierry Bouyer indicates that the specimen from Elone is either G. falcata or G. nubilata, but not G. oxytela. Examination of genitalia might be necessary for accurate determination. The specimen is lighter than fresh G. falcata which normally show a darker reddish-brown.

Goodia falcata male, October 28, 2006, Franceville, Gabon,
courtesy of Jean-Louis Albert, id by Bill Oehlke.

Goodia falcata male (verso), October 28, 2006, Franceville, Gabon,
courtesy of Jean-Louis Albert, id by Bill Oehlke.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females fly early at night with males on the wing around midnight, the calling time of females. Both sexes come in to lights.

Goodia falcata female, courtesy/copyright Thierry Bouyer.

Goodia falcata, female, November 27, 2006,
courtesy of Jean-Louis Albert, Franceville, Gabon.

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Goodia falcata, female (verso), November 27, 2006,
courtesy of Jean-Louis Albert, Franceville, Gabon.

View additional images of Goodia falcata from Nsimi, Cameroon, courtesy of Sebastian Brandner.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Eggs are deposited in small groups of 4-12 on twigs or hostplant leaves. Larvae are solitary feeders.

Larvae descend the foodplant at pupation time and construct a flimsy cocoon in debris at the base of the hostplant.

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.

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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.

Goodia might?? be honourific for botanist Peter Good.

The species name 'falcata' refers to the falcate form of the male forewings.

Goodia falcata male, Gabon, courtesy of Rodolphe Rougerie, id by Thierry Bouyer.

In May of 2006, Thierry Bouyer writes,
"Bill,
"There is big confusion in the Goodia. The nomenclature has recently changed in the nubilata / falcata group.

"Nubilata was misidentified by Jordan who redescribed it under the name sentosa. What Jordan indentified as nubilata is in fact falcata. The nomenclature followed by all authors and collectors was obviously that of Jordan, but this needs to be corrected now.

"The nomenclature of this group is
Goodia
(new classification for the nubilata group, cfr Bouyer, T., 2004c – Nouveaux Saturniidae africains de Bioko et note complémentaire sur Goodia Holland, 1893 (Lepidoptera). Ent. Afr. 9 (2) : 43-48, Pl. VI, figs 3.)
nubilata Holland, 1893
= Goodia nodulifera (Karsch, 1893) (Tagoropsis)
= Goodia sentosa Jordan, 1922
canui Bouyer, 2004c
falcata (Aurivillius, 1893) (Tagoropsis)
(= Goodia nubilata sensu Jordan, 1922 and auct.)
oxytela Jordan, 1922

"These are the reasons why the same photo which I identify as falcata, someone else identifies as nubilata, or, that which I identify as nubilata, someone else identifies as sentosa."

The four species in the G. nubilata group are remarkably similar. G. canui is recognized by geography. I have placed a "*" where the orangey-yellow arc meets the costa. A vertical line from the star down will bisect the cloven yellow patch in G. falcata whereas in the other three species the vertical line will be more or less tangent to the inner edge of the patch. G. nubilata can be distinguised from G. oxytela based on the differences in shape of the forewing anal angle. In nubilata the anal angle forms almost a ninety degree angle with the inner and outer margins. In oxytela the angle seems much more obtuse.

In G. falcata, which is consistently dark, the teeth emanating from the marginal areas are more clearly defined and pointed tips are more prominently marked with black.

Goodia falcata male, Elone, Cameroon, July 2006,
wingspan 73mm, courtesy of Sebastian Brandner, identification by Bill Oehlke.
Philippe Darge indicates G. falcata; Thierry Bouyer indicates G. nubilata.

Goodia falcata male (verso), Elone, Cameroon, July 2006,
wingspan 73mm, courtesy of Sebastian Brandner, identification by Bill Oehlke.
Philippe Darge indicates G. falcata; Thierry Bouyer indicates G. nubilata.

Live specimens may be easier to identify, but even then, examination of genitalia may be necessary for valid identification.