Deciphering Thysanoptera: A Comprehensive Study on the Distribution and Diversity of Thrips Fauna in Pakistan

Thrips are major crop pests and virus vectors in many parts of the world. Despite their economic importance, thrips diversity in Pakistan is not well documented. Surveys were carried out from year 2009 to 2012 to decipher thrips fauna in Pakistan. A total of 158 sites in three climatic regions were surveyed, and specimens were collected from a wide range of flora. Following taxonomic keys, we identified 12 species from 3 genera of the suborder Tubulifera and 30 species from 17 genera of the suborder Terebrantia. Of these one species (Apterygothrips pellucidus Ananthakrishnan) from Tubulifera and 7 species (Chirothrips meridionalis Bagnall, Chaetanaphothrips orchidii Moulton, Megalurothrips usitatus Bagnall, Megalurothrips distalis Karny, Neohydatothrips samayunkur Kudo, Taeniothrips major Bagnall, Thrips trehernei Priesner) from Terebrantia and four genera (Aptetygothrips, Chaetanaphothrips, Neohydatothrips, Taeniothrips) were first reports from Pakistan. A checklist of species reported in Pakistan since 1947 including those from the current survey was compiled.