Goodia perfulvastra
GOOD-ee-uhMper-ful-VAGH-struh
Darge, 1994

Goodia perfulvastra

TAXONOMY: Superfamily: Bombycoidea Latreille, 1802 Family: Saturniidae Boisduval, [1837] 1834 Subfamily: Saturniinae Boisduval, [1837] 1834 Tribe: Micragonini Cockerell in Packard, 1914 (1902) Genus: Goodia, Holland, 1893

MIDI MUSIC "Moon River" copyright C. Odenkirk ON.OFF <bgsound src="moon.mid" LOOP=FOREVER>

DISTRIBUTION:

Goodia perfulvastra (wingspan: males: 76-88mm; females: 95mm) inhabits
southern and eastern Cameroon: Messok (PD), Tchollire (PD), Elone (SB);
Gabon: Monts de Cristal, Cap Esterias, Estuaire, Moyen-Ogooue, Ogooue-Maritime, Ogooue-Ivindo;
Republic of Central Africa: Lobaye, Bangui; Sangha: Ndoki PN;
southern Equatorial Guinea;
People's Republic of the Congo: 20 km W-S W d'Ouesso, and d'Ouesso; and
possibly Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Goodia perfulvastra male, Cameroon, courtesy of Eric van Schayck.

Goodia perfulvastra veneris male, wingspan 82mm, Elone, Cameroon (Sud Province),
July 2006, courtesy of Sebastian Brandner, id by B. Oehlke, veneris confirmed by P. Darge.

The specimen from Elone may be Goodia perfulvastra veneris as it appears to be lighter in colour, especially on the ventral surface. Darge describes (1994-2006) this moth as a subspecies of Goodia perfulvastra.

Goodia perfulvastra male, courtesy of Philippe Darge.

Goodia perfulvastra is the largest species of the group. In addition to the size, the species can be recognized by the bright reddish-brown ground colour.

In the male, the outer margin is almost perpendicular to the inner margin and runs straight until it becomes concave as it approaches the apex.

The "crescent moon" is well marked, always cutting sharply into the the darker reddish brown outer border which is strongly indented along the veins. At the base of this reddish brown area there is a lighter coloured, diffuse "cloven hoof", followed below with a darker grey-violet area.

The upper and lower sections of the antemedial (transverse) line are dark, but the lower quarter of the bottom line is lighter and thinner as it approaches the inner margin. The lightest portions of the wing surround these lines and accentuate the apex.

Goodia perfulvastra veneris male (verso), wingspan 82mm, Elone, Cameroon (Sud Province),
July 2006, courtesy of Sebastian Brandner, id by Bill Oehlke.

The specimen from Elone may be Goodia perfulvastra veneris as it appears to be lighter in colour, especially on the ventral surface. Darge describes (1994-2006) this moth as a subspecies of Goodia perfulastra.

Goodia perfulvastra male (verso), courtesy of Philippe Darge.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

This moth has been taken in R.C.A. in June, December; in PRC in June-July; In Gabon in October and December; in Cameroon in July-August and October.

It has been reported in Central African Republic in February (SA#12) so it probably has at least three broods annually.

Goodia perfulvastra larval hosts are unknown.

Goodia perfulvastra female, courtesy of Philippe Darge.

Goodia perfulvastra female (verso), courtesy of Philippe Darge.

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.

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.

Use your browser "Back" button to return to the previous page.

Return to Goodia Index

Return to Main Index

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 or collector A. I. Good.

The species name 'perfulvastra' probably comes from a combination of vastra, meaning "clothing" and perful, whose meaning I could not determine. "Vastra" can also mean a blotch.