Thrips Fauna of Khangchendzonga National Park, Sikkim with First Description of Hitherto Unknown Male Smilothrips productus Bhatti

Survey was conducted to assess thrips fauna of Khangchendzonga National Park (KNP), Sikkim Himalaya during 2020 and 2021 and it resulted in the collection of 44 species of thrips at the altitude ranging from 899-2035 m asl. In terms of feeding diversity, 18 phyllophilous, 15 anthophilous, 2 gall inducers, 4 mycophagous and 5 grass inhabiting thrips were recorded. The previously unknown male of Smilothrips productus Bhatti is also described for the first time. The individuals of S. productus collected from India were found to be only macropterous, while that of Chinese forms include both micropterous and brachypterous.