Welcome to College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, India

The Department of Agricultural Entomology had its inception along with the formation of the College of Horticulture on 28 October,1972.Initially it was in the Mannuthy campus ,Trichur and later got shifted to the main campus of Kerala Agricultural University at Vellanikkara in 1977.The Department is engaged in teaching (undergraduate and post graduate ), research and extension activities.

Teaching

Undergraduate programme –Courses offered:

Period	No. of courses	Credits
1972-76	4	8+4=12
1977-79	5	10+5=15
1980-85	9	15+9=24
1986-94	8	11+8=19
1995-2003	8	9+8=17
2004-‘06	4	7+4=11
2007	3	6+3=9

Post Graduate Programmes:

M.Sc (Ag) programme in Agrl. Entomology was started in 1976-77.

Number of courses offered: 17 (29+16=45 credits)

No. of Degrees awarded: 60

PhD programme in Entomology was started during 1982.

Number of courses offered: 18 (31+16=47 credits)

No. of Degrees awarded: 12

ICAR Junior Research fellowship awardees from the department

Year	Numbers	Rank position at All India level
2002-2003	5	2,7,8,27,33
2004-2005	3	3,5,8
2006-2007	4	1,3,4,10

Completed projects (Major)

Kerala Agricultural Development Projects (1977-86 )
Coconut Root (wilt ) (Nematology) Scheme (1982-89 )
AICRP on Spices improvement (1982-86 )
UGC,STED and SCST projects on biosystematics and behavioral ecology of eumenid wasps (1982-95 )
All India coordinated Experiment on Sericulture (1993-96 )
Indo-UK (DFID ) project on integrated management of fruit flies (2000-04)
State govt. project on Comprehensive coconut mite management (2001-03)
NATP project on coconut eriophyid mite management (2001-04 )
UGC project on spider fauna in rice and vegetable ecosystems(2003-06)
ICAR project on forecasting of tea mosquito in cashew (2003-06)
Bayer project on bioefficiency of newer insecticides against stem borer and leaf folder in rice (2006-07)

Ongoing projects

AICRP on Biological Control of Crop Pests and Weeds
AINP on Agrl. Ornithology
Plan project on action research on coconut eriophyid mite

Projects on Revolving Fund Mode

Quality analysis and certification of stored grains
Apiculture
Sericulture

Salient Research Achievements

A legendary spectacular success in controlling the aquatic weed Salvinia molesta (African payal ) from the backwaters and rice fields especially in Kuttanad and Kole areas of Kerala by releasing the weevil Cyrtobagous salviniae. This has saved the state from incurring annual expenditure to the tune of crores of rupees for the removal of the weed. The Nehru trophy boat race and house boats of Kuttanad would not have been possible had it not been for this small insect, doing its job, day in and day out.

Scientific studies were made on the management of coconut eriophyid mite on an adhoc basis and recommendations made immediately. A small semi scientific information booklet was published by the department in this connection.

The studies in the department have culminated in the finalization of an entirely new concept and practice of stem remedies, for management of the mite. This uses an innovative formulation termed as Stem remedy formulation, (SRF) which, along with neem products is sprayed on the trunk of the coconut tree every month for management of the mite menace.

Surveyed and reported the occurrence of 15 different species of rats with their burrow patterns and 17 indigenous rat traps in Kerala. The late C.M. George of the department perfected the CMG trap or Moncompu trap, which has become the most important and easy trap to capture the rice field rats (Rattus norvegicus) from the submerged rice fields of Kuttanad.

Successful in the development of integrated tactics involving bait application techniques for the management of fruit flies in cucurbits and mangoes.
Developed decontamination methods for carbofuran residues in bitter gourd.
Assessed the antifeedant effect of neem leaf extracts against brinjal pests.
Estimated the high amount of residues of carbofuran resulting from the farmer’s practice of application at the vining and flowering stages in bittergourd.
Identified the mirid and pentatomid predators of Stephanitis typica.
Explored the efficacy of neem products against Helopelti antonii.
An olfactometer that can monitor the responses of insects to odours was developed in the department
Ascertained the susceptibility of field populations of Amrasca biguttula biguttula towards the commonly used insecticides in bitter gourd.
Six species of Bacillus were identified as pathogens of root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita.
Evolved integrated management tactics for many emerging pests such as rice blue beetle, banana root mealy bug, root knot nematodes in rice and thippalli, etc.
Worked out the biology and bionomics for the first time of many major pests of wide importance viz., Liriomyza trifolii, Helopeltis antonii, Pareuchaetes pseudoinsulata, Neochetina eichorniae, coconut eriophyid mite, banana pseudo stem weevil, white backed plant hopper, rice blue beetle, mulberry leaf roller etc.
Screened varieties for host plant resistance in cowpea to pod borer, brinjal to fruit borer, turmeric to shoot borer, rice to blue beetle, etc.
Evaluated the role of fungal pathogens against coconut eriophyid mite
Explored the synergistic interaction of insecticides and biocides against Helicoverpa
armigera
Identified platygasterid parasitoids in rice and vegetables.
Recommended eco friendly insecticides for pests of amaranthus and bitter gourd.
Screened promising bio bird repellants
Successfully managed nematode outbreaks in rice fields of Palakkad
Studied insect pests of medicinal plants
Worked out the taxonomy of predatory coccinellids in rice and vegetables
Evolved methods of trapping red palm weevil in coconut
Conducted biodiversity studies in predatory coccinellids
Studied pest-natural enemy –host interaction in brown plant hopper
Surveyed and quantified the natural enemy fauna of rice ecosystem in Trichur district
Worked out the bio ecology of small green barbet, Megalaima viridis, a bird pest of
orchard crops
Fabricated the artificial nests for the cavity nesters as a conservation measure

Extension Activities

Farm Advisory Service
Diagnostic service for field pest problems by conducting visits to farmers’ fields and suggesting recommendations for management
Conducting training programmes to farmers and officers of government department and NGO
Resource centre for technical experts for seminars,symposia etc.
Conducting practical sessions for vocational higher secondary students
Conducting field demonstrations trials, group campaigns etc.
Dissemination of scientific information to the public through All India Radio and other mass media
Serving as external examiners for PG programmes in other Universities
Publication of technical information