A new species of Lichen Moth was discovered in Nagpur, marking the first recorded occurrence of the genus Tospitis in India. Named Tospitis Indica, the moth has a wingspan of around 13 mm and was found in the campus of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU). The discovery was documented by Rahul Babanrao Bhende, a researcher at the varsity's Post Graduate Teaching Department of Zoology. His research paper was published in Volume 55 of the Israel Journal of Entomology on October 27, 2026. The genus Tospitis was first described in 1863 and was previously known from Southeast Asia.

 

The finding in Nagpur extends its known distribution into the Indian sub-continent. The species name Indica refers to India. The study is based on two adult specimens collected on the university campus using a light trap fitted with a 250-watt mercury vapour bulb. The female was collected on December 15, 2025, and the male on January 27, 2026. The moths were identified through examination of their external features and genital structures. Both specimens have been deposited at the Zoological Survey of India - Western Regional Centre (WRC) in Pune.

 

The male is the holotype, while the female is the paratype. Its taxonomic act is also registered in ZooBank. The study describes the collection site as a semi-urban habitat with trees, shrubs, grasses and undergrowth. This differs from the humid habitats previously reported for the genus in Southeast Asia. The paper suggests that Tospitis may tolerate a wider range of environmental conditions than previously recognised.