taxonID	type	description	language	source
CE7B403DF827FFA7FF7E42941E5CFE25.taxon	discussion	Taxonomic note The members of the genus Simplicia are phenotypically very similar as they are mostly brownish or greyish having apparently similar wing fasciation. The differences between the species are visible mainly in the male antennae, overall size of adults, intensity of brown shading on the wings, curvature of the pale sub-marginal line on the forewing, and minutely in the conspicuousness, curvature and obliqueness of the ante-medial and post-medial lines on the wings. Although the antenna is ciliate, the arrangement of cilia on flagellomeres may be either uniform or fasciculate or a combination of both. The genus may be broadly divided into two groups based on the male antennae; in one group, the male antennae have a node with long scales at variable length; in other group, the males have simpler antennae without any node. The flagellomeres may too vary in size and shape with the central ones having stout spines on the inner side. The forelegs in male have relatively short and robust coxa in respect to other genera and tibial sheath associated with buff-brown tuft of hairs whose length varies depending on species. In some species this tibial tuft of hairs is present on all the legs. The forewing venation shows remarkable inter-specific variations rendering more stable characters of wing fasciae and male genitalia as diagnostics for the genus (Prout 1929). Externally, Simplicia is best separable from other Herminiinae genera by the presence of a thin and pale sub-marginal line on the wings which on the hindwing is obtusely angled near the anal angle. In some species, this pale sub-marginal line on both wings is highlighted by the darkening of the ground colour immediately basal to it. The male genitalia have curved and elongated uncus with slender proximal half and laterally compressed, broad, often dorsally domed and apically acute distal half. Valva is typically tongue-like, sometimes very elongated ending in a slender, acute apex and with a spur of variable size at the distal end of the sacculus and usually a short apical or sub-apical spine on the costa. Aedeagus vesica is large, usually with large patch of coarse tuberose signa and short to moderate distal diverticulum of variable shape. The female genitalia have long, slender, typically sclerotized ductus bursae and bulbous corpus bursae whose basal half to two-thirds, usually has coarse tuberose signa. The genus generally inhabits lowland to upper montane tropical forest habitats with annual precipitation of more than 2000 mm. The larvae are known to feed on leaf litters and sometimes on fresh leaves (Holloway 2008). Larvae of several Bornean species are reported to forage on a range of plant families, like Amaranthaceae, Dipterocarpaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Gramineae etc., but without any information on the part of the plant or the condition they are being devoured (Robinson et al. 2001).	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF828FFA7FF7E4349190EF857.taxon	description	(Figs. 1 – 6, 30 – 35, 38)	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF828FFA7FF7E4349190EF857.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: India, Arunachal Pradesh, Changlang Dist., Namdapha NP: 1 ♀, 29 mile (27 º 29 ' 15.8 " N, 96 º 27 ' 30.3 " E, Alt. 371 m), 31. x. 2015, 1 ♂, 29 mile, 02. xi. 2015, A. Majumder & Party leg., 1 ♂, Deban FRH (27 º 29 ' 53.5 " N, 96 º 23 ' 27.6 " E), 01. iii. 2017, A. Pyra & Party leg., 1 ♂, Deban FRH, 25. vi. 2017, 1 ♂, Deban FRH, 26. vi. 2017, J. Sainy & Party leg. West Bengal, Kalimpong Dist., Neora Valley NP: 2 ♂, 1 ♀ (3594), Suntaleykhola (27.0103 ºN, 88.7899 ºE, Alt. 761 m), 08. vii. 2018, K. Bhattacharyya & Party leg., 2 ♂, Suntaleykhola, 25. ix. 2018, 2 ♂, Suntaleykhola, 27. ix. 2018, P. C. Pathania leg. Sikkim, South Sikkim, Ravangla, 1 ♀, 23. vii. 2019, H. Singh leg. Andhra Pradesh, Vishakhapatnam Dist.: 1 ♂, Garudaguda (18 º 17 ' 46.5 " N, 82 º 56 ' 37.9 " E), 06. x. 2021, S. K. Shah leg.	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF828FFA7FF7E4349190EF857.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis: Forewing length: ♂ 17 – 20 mm; ♀ 20 – 22 mm. This species is externally indistinguishable from S. griseolimbalis Snellen, 1886 (Holloway 2008: 120, pl. 5, f. 286, 295; Kononenko & Pinratana 2013: 27, pl. 2, f. 28, 29) and S. moorei Swinhoe, 1919 (Figs. 7, 8) (Holloway 2008: 120; Kononenko & Pinratana 2013: 27, pl. 2, f. 30, 31) and is best separable by male genital characters. However, Holloway (1982) indicated a few external features of S. griseolimbalis differing from S. bimarginata, such as slightly larger size, darker colouration and usually more oblique and less curved ante-medial line on the forewing. But, these characters are subject to individual variations depending on the locality of occurrence. All three species have a general wing pattern more or less similar to S. schaldusalis (Walker, [1859]) (Figs. 26, 27), but, in S. bimarginata, the black shading towards the sub-marginal line is more intense and males usually larger than females (in our collection, both the female specimens are larger), while they are smaller in S. griseolimbalis (Holloway 2008). In the male genitalia, S. bimarginata (Figs. 30 – 35) differs from S. griseolimbalis by broader and distinctly domed uncus, presence of a curved spine at the subapical region of valva costa (in S. griseolimbalis, the costal spine is situated apically), roundish rather than quadrate valva apex, and shorter and slightly arcuate aedeagus. With S. moorei (Figs. 36, 37), the delineation of S. bimarginata is narrow and can be found in aedeagus vesica which has tuberose signa restricted to the dorsal surface rather than uniformly spread as seen in S. moorei. Moreover, the aedeagus in S. moorei is more curved than that in S. bimarginata. Although such minor differences between these two species are indicative of the subspecific variations of a single species, their sympatric occurrences in Singapore and the Eastern Ghats region of India may suggest their identity as separate species (Holloway 1982).	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF828FFA7FF7E4349190EF857.taxon	distribution	Distribution: India: Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Kerala, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Jharkhand, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, (Kirti et al. 2017, Singh 2019, Chandra et al. 2019). Global: Indonesia (Sulawesi, Sumatra), Malaysia (Borneo), Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand (Holloway 1982, 2008; Lödl 1999; Kononenko & Pinratana 2005).	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF828FFA7FF7E4349190EF857.taxon	discussion	Remark: In the present study, apart from differences in the overall size, individual variations in the size of uncus and position of the costal spine of valva in male genitalia of S. bimarginata are observed (Figs. 32, 34). Whether these differences are actually species level variations or not, can only be resolved through molecular studies. This species occurs in the lowland to mid-altitude moist-deciduous forested habitats up to about 1200 m elevation. Holloway (2008) mentioned the likely occurrence of both S. bimarginata and S. griseolimbalis in the forested as well as disturbed habitats up to 2000 m altitude, although the former being relatively uncommon.	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82AFFA5FF7E426A1CE2F812.taxon	description	(Figs. 9 – 10, 39 – 40)	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82AFFA5FF7E426A1CE2F812.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: India, Andhra Pradesh, Vishakhapatnam Dist.: 1 ♂, Araku Valley (18 º 16 ' 34.6 " N, 82 º 59 ' 21.8 " E, Alt. 1161 m), 05. x. 2021; 1 ♂, Garudaguda (18 º 17 ' 46.5 " N, 82 º 56 ' 37.9 " E), 06. x. 2021, S. K. Shah leg.	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82AFFA5FF7E426A1CE2F812.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis: Forewing length: ♂ 14 – 15 mm. Externally this species is very similar to S. butesalis (Walker, [1859]) (Holloway 2008: 114, pl. 5, f. 281) distributed in the Sundaland, Indo-Australian tropics East to Papua New Guinea (not in India) and Thailand (Kononenko & Pinratana 2005). The main differences lie in the male antenna which is ciliate without any node in S. concisalis, while that in S. butesalis has a strong node with raised scales at one-third length and forewing fasciation intensity which is usually more conspicuous in the former. Male genitalia exhibits clear cut differences between these species. Simplicia concisalis differs by larger uncus with less acute distal part, longer valva with minute costal spine at the apex and without any distinct bulge at the middle of the ventral margin, and the aedeagus vesica with shorter spines on the broader distal diverticulum (Figs. 39, 40). Two more species, S. turpatalis (Walker, [1859]) known from Sri Lanka and S. medioangulata Bethune-Baker, 1908 known from Papua New Guinea seem to have somewhat similar appearance to S. concisalis as per their original description. However, in S. turpatalis, male antenna has a smaller node with raised scales before the middle and S. mediangulata has inwardly oblique ante-medial line on forewing which, in S. concisalis, is nearly straight, crenulate and outwardly oblique.	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82AFFA5FF7E426A1CE2F812.taxon	distribution	Distribution: India: Indo-Australian tropics (in Australia), Andhra Pradesh (Holloway 2008, present study). Global: Papua New Guinea, Sundaland (Holloway 2008).	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82AFFA5FF7E426A1CE2F812.taxon	discussion	Remark: Although, Holloway (2008) mentioned the distribution of S. concisalis in the Indo-Australian tropics, its occurrence in India was hitherto doubtful. Therefore, the current study marks its confirmed report from the country. Hampson (1895) treated S. concisalis and S. murinalis (Moore, 1867) (reported only from Bengal in the original description) as synonyms of S. butesalis due to apparently similar external appearance. Poole (1989) also followed this concept after studying the type specimens at the British Museum of Natural History where S. murinalis is represented only by the un-dissected holotype female from West Bengal, India. Eventually, Holloway (2008) revived both as valid species based on the differences in male genitalia and antennae discussed above for S. concisalis and wing fasciation for S. murinalis with those in S. butesalis. This species is known to inhabit lowland forests (Holloway 2008); however, we have encountered it from mid elevation moist deciduous forests up to 1200 m.	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82AFFA5FF7E41D01908FD70.taxon	description	(Figs. 7 – 8, 36 – 37)	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82AFFA5FF7E41D01908FD70.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: India, Odisha, Ganjam Dist.: 1 ♂, Budhakhola Temple (19 º 49 ' 14.2 " N, 84 º 49 ' 18.3 " E, Alt. 235 m), 01. x. 2021, S. K. Shah leg.	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82AFFA5FF7E41D01908FD70.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis: Forewing length: ♂ 17 mm. The diagnosis of this species is discussed under S. bimarginata.	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82AFFA5FF7E41D01908FD70.taxon	distribution	Distribution: India: Indian subregion, Odisha (Holloway 1982, present study). Global: Indonesia (Sumatra), Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand (Holloway 1982, 2008; Lödl 1999; Kononenko & Pinratana 2013).	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82AFFA5FF7E41D01908FD70.taxon	discussion	Remark: The earlier record of this species from India by Holloway (1982) was mentioned from the Indian subregion. The present study confirms its first time occurrence form a particular locality in India. The species inhabits lowland to upper montane forests up to 2000 m, like S. bimarginata (Kononenko & Pinratana 2013).	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82BFFA4FF7E41D01E56FA2D.taxon	description	(Figs. 11 – 12, 41 – 42)	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82BFFA4FF7E41D01E56FA2D.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: India, Chhattisgarh, Korba Dist.: 2 ♂, Lemru, Deopahari (22 º 38 ' 42.0 " N, 82 º 48 ' 36.2 " E, Alt. 383 m), 25. iii. 2014, A. Raha & Party leg.	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82BFFA4FF7E41D01E56FA2D.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis: Forewing length: ♂ 14 mm. This species looks somewhat similar to S. butesalis and its close congeners in forewing fasciation, but is smaller and the sub-marginal line on forewing is slightly curved inwards which is almost straight in S. butesalis and its allies. In size and wing fasciation, S. cornicalis is more close to the Bornean S. pseudeusalis Holloway, 2008, but differs slightly in male antennal structure. Both the species have a strong node at one third lengths of the male antennae, but the ciliation along the part basal to this node, in S. cornicalis, is moderately fasciculate, while that in S. pseudeusalis more even (Holloway 2008). Male genitalia in S. cornicalis (Figs. 41 – 42) have typical broad valva with a small costal apical spine and a distinct spine at the apex of aedeagus which separate this species from the other similar congeners.	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82BFFA4FF7E41D01E56FA2D.taxon	distribution	Distribution: India: Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, West Bengal (Moore 1882, present study). Global: Australia, Bismarck Island, China (South), Fiji, Hawaii, Indonesia (Moluccas, Sumatra), Japan (South), Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia (Borneo), Melanesia, New Caledonia, New Hebrides, North America (Florida, Louisiana), Papua New Guinea, Polynesia, Samoa, Solomon Island, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand, Vanuatu, Vietnam (Dickel et al. 2010; Kononenko & Pinratana 2013).	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82BFFA4FF7E41D01E56FA2D.taxon	discussion	Remark: This species is one of the most widely distributed species of Simplicia. Owada (1992) treated S. caeneusalis (Walker, [1859]) as a valid species and revised its synonyms by illustrating the type materials. Later, Holloway (2008) synonymised it under S. cornicalis due to similarity in their valva and aedeagus features and suggested the Norfolk Island population of S. caeneusalis buffetti to be a probable separate species. Simplicia cornicalis is a lowland tropical forest species having a flight period throughout the year in several generations (Kononenko & Pinratana 2013).	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82BFFA3FF7E4494183FFA9D.taxon	description	urn: lsid: zoobank. org: act: A 7 F 99 EE 1 - 3 CDA- 451 C-AC 05 - EBA 69 F 9629 C 2 (Figs. 13 – 15, 43 – 44)	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82BFFA3FF7E4494183FFA9D.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: Holotype: India, West Bengal, Kalimpong Dist., Neora Valley NP: 1 ♂, Suntaleykhola Biodiversity Camp (27 º 00.789 ' N, 88 º 47.094 ' E, Alt. 652 m), 25. ix. 2018, P. C. Pathania leg. (Gen. vial no.: Sim. disc. 1 _ Suntaleykhola _ Kalimpong _ 25. ix. 18).	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82BFFA3FF7E4494183FFA9D.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis: This is a moderately large species having external resemblance to S. robustalis (Guenée, 1854) (Holloway 2008: 112, pl. 5, f. 275; Kononenko & Pinratana 2013: 26, pl. 2, f. 23, 24) and S. discosticta (Hampson, 1912) (Holloway 2008: 113, pl. 5, f. 272, 290), of which the former is widely reported from Indo-Australian belt, Sundaland to Papua New Guinea and the latter is distributed in Sri Lanka and Sundaland (Holloway 2008, Kononenko & Pinratana 2013). The new species is slightly paler and smaller than S. robustalis with much shorter fore tibial hair pencils, but larger in size than S. discosticta. The labial palpi in S. longivalva sp. nov. (Fig. 15) is distinctly longer and more developed than both the congeners. Also, the forewing markings in the new species is markedly indistinct than both the congeners. In male genitalia, S. longivalva sp. nov. (Figs. 43, 44) clearly differs from both of its closely similar species by much elongated, apically acute valva with broad sacculus, broad u-shaped vinculum, inverted funnel-like juxta, curved aedeagus and vesica with two distinct patches of spines, one basal patch of smaller spines and another of larger spines on a broad distal diverticulum.	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82BFFA3FF7E4494183FFA9D.taxon	description	Description: Male. Head: Frons covered with pale ochreous-brown scales; antenna pale brown, ciliate with a bunch of small and fine setae on each segment along the basal one-third part of its length, then forming a small node with long hairs, from there to the tip with two strong setae on each segment; palpi pale brown at the outer side, much paler at the inner side, long, laterally flattened, curved, reflexed over the thorax, reaching more or less to the mesothorax, 1 st segment short, 2 nd segment long, nearly thrice the length of the 1 st segment and broad, curved, rising above the head, 3 rd segment slender, pointed at tip, almost straight, nearly of same length as the 2 nd segment, covered with longer scales. Thorax: covered with pale yellowish-brown scales; legs brown with pale brown prominent tibial hair-pencils, more or less of similar size on all the legs. Wings: Forewing length: ♂ 18 mm. Forewing moderately broad (length: breadth = 1.8: 1.1), apex somewhat rectangular, termen more or less straight till vein M 3, then inwardly oblique to tornus; ground colour yellowish-brown densely irrorated with darker brown, ante-medial and post-medial lines brown, indistinct, outwardly curved, crenulate; a small, faint blackish spot in the cell; a large, lunular, blackish spot at the end of cell; sub-marginal line straight, inwardly oblique, pale, shaded with dark brown immediately basal to it; marginal series of brown specks at the interspaces between the veins; cilia brown. Hindwing of similar colour and irroration as the forewing, except the costa being paler than the rest of the wing; a prominent, black, lunular spot at the end of cell; faint impression of a darker brown, straight post-medial line; submarginal line similar to that on forewing, but forms an obtuse angle near the anal angle of hindwing. Underside of both wings paler than upper side; forewing with discal spot round, black and more distinct than upper side, post-medial line faint, crenulate and slightly curved, sub-marginal line less distinct than upper side; hindwing paler than forewing, discal spot lunular, black, darker than upper side, post-medial line indistinct, crenulate and curved, sub-marginal line less distinct than upper side. Abdomen: Dorsal side covered with yellowish-brown scales, ventral side paler; tuft of yellowish hairs at the end. Male genitalia: Uncus curved, elongated, apically acute with a minute hook; tegumen broad, long, slightly curved; valva elongated, narrow, apically acute and slightly curved, sacculus broad with a roughly triangular flap; juxta somewhat inverted funnel-like with slender distal half; vinculum well developed, broad, u-shaped; aedeagus long, slightly curved, vesica sac-like with two patches of spines and tuberose signa, one basal patch of small spines and another patch of larger, coarser spines on a broad distal diverticulum. Female unknown.	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82BFFA3FF7E4494183FFA9D.taxon	etymology	Etymology: The new species is named for its characteristically long valva in the male genitalia.	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82BFFA3FF7E4494183FFA9D.taxon	distribution	Distribution: So far known from type locality only.	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82BFFA3FF7E4494183FFA9D.taxon	discussion	Remark: The new species is recorded from the low altitude semi-evergreen forest.	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82CFFA1FF7E44C5191BFEED.taxon	description	(Figs. 16 – 17, 45)	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82CFFA1FF7E44C5191BFEED.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: India, Uttarakhand, Pithoragarh Dist., Askot WLS: 1 ♀, Baram Pool (29.87140 ºN, 80.37358 ºE, Alt. 1222 m), 08. vi. 2018, A. K. Sanyal & G. N. Das leg.	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82CFFA1FF7E44C5191BFEED.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis: Forewing length: ♀ 14 mm. This is one of the smallest species of Simplicia with the characteristic curved sub-marginal line on forewing which has a slight subapical sinuosity (Holloway 2008). Both the wings have dark brown shading immediately basal to the pale sub-marginals and faint irregular fasciations (Moore 1882: 195, pl. 6, f. 19; Kononenko & Pinratana 2005: 14, pl. 1, f. 34; Holloway 2008: 121, pl. 6, f. 282). Undersides of both the wings have dark discal spots and hindwing has typical broken, lunular dark brown shading just basal to the pale sub-marginal line. Female genitalia have robust anterior apophysis longer than the posterior one, elongated and sclerotized ductus bursae, and spinuous basal region of ovoid corpus bursae (Fig. 45).	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82CFFA1FF7E44C5191BFEED.taxon	distribution	Distribution: India: Central India, Maharashtra, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, West Bengal (Guenée 1854; Moore 1882; Hampson 1895, present study). Global: China (South-west), Indonesia (Java, Sumatra), Japan, Malaysia (Borneo, Peninsular Malaysia), Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam (Kononenko & Pinratana 2005; Holloway 2008).	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82CFFA1FF7E44C5191BFEED.taxon	discussion	Remark: The species is recorded from the Himalayan Chir Pine forest habitat at an altitude of 1222 m.	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82EFFA1FF7E40D51DD6FA79.taxon	description	(Fig. 18 – 25, 46 – 53)	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82EFFA1FF7E40D51DD6FA79.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: India, Himachal Pradesh, Kullu Dist., Great Himalayan NP: 1 ♂, Ropa FRH (31.76558 ºN, 77.35765 ºE, 1515 m), 11. ix. 2016, A. K. Sanyal & Party leg., 1 ♂, 23. ix. 2019, K. Mallick & G. N. Das leg. Sikkim, West Sikkim Dist., Khangchendzonga BR: 1 ♂, Gorethang (27.34359 ºN, 88.25836 ºE, Alt. 1490 m), 01. xii. 2019; 1 ♂, Yuksom (27.37864 ºN, 88.22087 ºE, Alt. 1879 m), 19. xi. 2019, A. K. Sanyal & Party leg.	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82EFFA1FF7E40D51DD6FA79.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis: Forewing length: ♂ 18 – 19 mm. Simplicia niphona can be easily confused with S. xanthoma Prout, 1928 due to close similarity in size and colouration, although the former is slightly larger and darker than the latter. In S. niphona, the forewings have straighter sub-marginal line, less distinct wing fascies, costa distinctly ochreous and lack the marginal series of dark spots compared to those in S. xanthoma (Holloway 2008: 117, pl. 5, f. 269). Butler (1878) while describing S. niphona, discussed its diagnosis with S. turpatalis which is a much smaller species (wingspan: 12 – 13 lines ≈ 1.2 inch / 30.5 mm as per the original description) and has forewing with more distinct and curved fascies than S. niphona. In male genitalia, S. niphona has broad and gently curved valva of more or less uniform width throughout its length, ventral margin of which is steeply angled distally to join the costal margin in a small costal apical spine, broad vinculum, and aedeagus vesica coarsely scobinated on distal surface with a small distal diverticulum and a shallow, tent-like distal swelling on the surface just next to the diverticulum (Figs. 46 – 47).	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82EFFA1FF7E40D51DD6FA79.taxon	distribution	Distribution: India: Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Sikkim, West Bengal (Singh et al. 2018; Chettri & Yonle 2021, present study). Global: Indonesia (Sumatra), Japan, Korea, Malaysia (Borneo, Peninsular Malaysia), Taiwan (Lödl 1999; Kononenko & Han 2007; Holloway 2008).	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82EFFA1FF7E40D51DD6FA79.taxon	discussion	Remark: This species is recorded from mid to upper montane semi-evergreen forest between 1400 – 2000 m elevation ranges. Here, we observed variations in the shape of uncus and valva, and size of the costal apical spine in the male genitalia of S. niphona (Figs. 48 – 53). These include shorter and slightly domed uncus, narrower valva with undulating costal and ventral margins, and slightly larger costal apical spine. Although such differences are not yet reported in any literature, we assume these as individual variations until further studies involving more materials and DNA barcoding.	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82EFFA0FF7E47611D09FE01.taxon	description	(Fig. 26 – 27, 54 – 55)	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82EFFA0FF7E47611D09FE01.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: India, Arunachal Pradesh, Changlang Dist., Namdapha NP: 1 ♂, Deban FRH (27.49715 ºN, 96.391416 ºE, Alt. 345 m), 25. vi. 17, J. Sainy & Party leg. West Bengal, Kalimpong Dist., Neora Valley NP: 2 ♂, Suntaleykhola (27 º 00.789 ' N, 88 º 47.094 ' E, Alt. 652 m), 27. ix. 2018, P. C. Pathania leg.	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82EFFA0FF7E47611D09FE01.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis: Forewing length: ♂ 19 – 21 mm. This is one of the largest Simplicia species having dark brown shading on the wings similar to S. bimarginata (Figs. 1 – 6), S. griseolimbalis (discussed above) and S. brevicosta Prout, 1928 (Holloway 2008: 121, pl. 5, f. 288). The males of S. schaldusalis (Figs. 26, 27) and S. brevicosta have forewing costa slightly convex rather than concave as seen in the males of other two species. The paler marginal zone on forewing in S. schaldusalis is narrower than that in the other three species. The male genitalia of S. schaldusalis has the characteristic valva with a thumb like apical extension and a small, curved subapical costal spine, and broad, arcuate aedeagus with scobinated vesica having two distal diverticula (Figs. 54, 55).	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82EFFA0FF7E47611D09FE01.taxon	distribution	Distribution: India: Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, West Bengal (Kirti et al. 2017, present study). Global: China (South-west), Indonesia (Java, Moluccas, Sulawesi, Sumatra), Malaysia (Borneo, Brunei), Melanesia, Solomon Island, Thailand (Holloway 2008; Kononenko & Pinratana 2013)	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82EFFA0FF7E47611D09FE01.taxon	discussion	Remark: This is a rare species mostly inhabiting low altitude moist-deciduous and semi-evergreen forests (Holloway 2008).	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82FFFBCFF7E44FF1D37F8DE.taxon	description	(Figs. 28 – 29, 56 – 57)	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82FFFBCFF7E44FF1D37F8DE.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: India, Andhra Pradesh, Vishakhapatnam Dist.: 1 ♂, Araku Valley (18 º 16 ' 34.6 " N, 82 º 59 ' 21.8 " E, Alt. 1161 m), 05. x. 2021, S. K. Shah leg.	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82FFFBCFF7E44FF1D37F8DE.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis: Forewing length: ♂ 16 mm. Like several of the Simplicia species, S. simplicissima has the indistinguishable overall brownish external appearance with dark brown wing maculation (Figs. 28, 29). The middle part of the base of forewing, in S. simplicissima, has a horizontal notch covered with scales which initially diagnoses the species from its close allies (Wileman & West 1930). This species is very similar to S. concisalis and externally can be differentiated by only a few characters. Simplicia simplicissima is darker having slightly broader forewing with straight sub-marginal line, sinuous and outwardly oblique ante-medial line, and distinctly lunular discal spot. Whereas, in S. concisalis, the sub-marginal line is also straight, but with a minute inward depression on the vein M 2, the ante-medial line is straighter and distinctly crenulate, and the discal spot is somewhat round (Figs. 9, 10). In male genitalia, S. simplicissima (Figs. 56, 57) differs clearly by distinctly longer uncus, longer valva, smaller and v-shaped vinculum, and somewhat straighter aedeagus with vesica having a smaller basal patch of minute spines and larger, coarser spines on the distal diverticulum. Moreover, the aedeagus vesica in S. concisalis (Figs. 39, 40) has an additional small patch of minute tuberose signa at the extreme basal region and the spines on distal diverticulum are spread further down it to some extent.	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82FFFBCFF7E44FF1D37F8DE.taxon	distribution	Distribution: India: Andhra Pradesh (present study). Global: China, Taiwan (Wileman & West 1930; Zhao et al. 2019),	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
CE7B403DF82FFFBCFF7E44FF1D37F8DE.taxon	discussion	Remark: Here, we report this species for the first time from India and extend its distribution further downwards to lower latitudes.	en	Raha, Angshuman, Sanyal, Abesh Kumar, Singh, Navneet (2025): On the taxonomy of genus Simplicia Guenée, with a new species from India (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Herminiinae). Zootaxa 5631 (3): 451-474, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5631.3.2
