Insect pest diversity in Sal (Shorea robusta) dominant forest of Thano Range Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India

Sal (Shorea robusta C.F.Gaertn.), a tree of significant ecological and economic value in India, is highly susceptible to infestation by a wide range of insect pests. Present work, conducted in the Sal-dominated Thano Forest Range of Dehradun Forest Division, identified 24 insect species, including 22 pests such as defoliators, sap suckers, bark feeders, and borers, and 2 natural predators. These belonged to 20 families across 8 insect orders, with Coleoptera being the most dominant (41.67%). Insect occurrence peaked during spring and summer (25%), with defoliators (33.33%) and sap suckers (29.17%) being the most prevalent. Economically significant damage was caused by stem borers and white grubs of bark and root feeders.