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Numenes Walker
Type species: siletti Walker, N.E. India, Peninsular Malaysia.
Synonym: Pseudomesa Walker (type species quadriplagiata Walker
= siletti).
This genus includes a number of strikingly sexually dimorphic species.
In the type species and Sundanian relatives the male is Orgyia-like, though
more colourful with a white forewing band and an orange one on the hindwing, and
the female is extensively yellow with bold black banding and spotting as
illustrated. In the other Bornean species, both male and female are of the
female facies type.
The male genitalia are similar to those of Orgyia, including the
presence of a digitate process at the base of the notch in the heart-shaped
juxta. However, the aedeagus is straight and lacks serrate extensions at the
apex, though sometimes has a spur or flange ventrally.
The female genitalia are distinctive, with a longitudinal scobinate band
in the bursa similar to that of Calliteara.
The genus is restricted to the Oriental tropics, and does not extend
east beyond Java, Borneo and the Philippines. The Chinese species discussed
under Numenes by Chao (1983) do not appear, from their male genitalia, to
be typical of the genus. They may not even be Orgyiini.
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