The Division of Entomology was established in 1905 as one of the five major Divisions of the then Agricultural Research Institute located at Pusa, Bihar. It was shifted to its present premises in 1936. Eminent entomologists like H.M. Lefroy, T.B. Fletcher, H.S. Pruthi, S. Pradhan and K.N. Mehrotra laid strong foundation for basic and applied research in insect science. The Division houses the prestigious National Pusa Collections (NPC), a national repository containing over five lakh insect specimens, providing invaluable resources for research and reference. Over the decades, the Division has led both basic and applied research in agricultural entomology, developing effective, and science-based pest management strategies. Prior to getting the status of Deemed University, Division of Entomology at Indian Agricultural Research Institute used to conduct training programs and an IARI Associateship Course equivalent to M.Sc. degree. The Division of Entomology has a specialized teaching faculty, and offers specialization in Taxonomy, Physiology, Toxicology, Biological Control, Ecology, and Pest Management. Apart from India, the division has PG students from several countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Ethiopia, Sudan, Egypt, Iran, Trinidad, Tobago, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh. So far, this Division has awarded 123 IARI Associateship, over 350 M.Sc. and 600 Ph.D. degrees, and several of the Entomology Division Alumni have occupied/occupying prestigious and senior positions in India and abroad. The postgraduate education and research programmes in the Division are being continuously upgraded to develop trained human resources with the recent advancements in the science of entomology. The Division has continued its work in advancing knowledge and practical solutions in the domains of Insect Biosystematics, Physiology, Toxicology, Biological Control, and Integrated Pest Management, addressing critical challenges in agriculture and pest management.

Few notable achievements are the discovery of several new insect species and many notable invasive species viz., Tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta; fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda; small hive beetle, Aethina tumida etc. Augmentation of National Pusa Collection, DNA barcoding and molecular diagnostics, including the development of world’s first RPA-CRISPR diagnostic tool for detecting invasive insect species. These advancements have enriched the understanding of insect diversity and facilitated precise identification for national and international collaborators.

In insect physiology, comprehensive studies have been carried out on mechanisms, reproductive physiology, biochemical and hormonal regulation, and genetics of diapause in Chilo partellus. Our innovative transcriptomic and metabolomic approaches have unveiled adaptations in pests like Chilo partellus, Spodoptera frugiperda and Bemisia tabaci providing insights into their survival mechanisms, insecticide resistance and interaction with environmental stressors. Similarly, the Division has been working on exploring sources, mechanisms and biochemical basis of insect resistance, offering avenues for developing pest-resistant varieties in maize, mustard and rice. The Division’s research on biological control, insect toxicology and integrated pest management has led to optimizing mass production of biocontrol agent, Metarhizium rileyi, and identification of effective insecticides and bio-pesticides. The new innovative approaches/tools like management of Spodoptera frugiperda through endophytically established native Bt strains in maize plants, the ‘Pusa MeFly Kit’, ‘Pusa CueFly Kit’ for fruit fly management and 'Pusa Whitefly attractant' for whitefly have been commercialized for the benefit of farmers. Additionally, studies on pheromone traps, remote sensing technologies, and weather-based forecasting models for pest infestation exemplify our commitment to leveraging advanced technologies for proactive pest management. These endeavours, carried out in collaboration with stakeholders from academic institutions, private industries, and government bodies, are paving the way for innovative and ecologically sound pest management solutions.

 Divisional Annual Report - 2023