Ph.D (Entomology)

Insect Physiology | Insect Pest Management

1	Discovered a native Steinernema sp. from Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, India.
2	Established the modulation of fat body lysosomal enzymes and DNA synthesis of Helicoverpa armigera as influenced by phyto-ecdysteroid and anti-ecdysteroids.
3	Discovered a gynandromorph in Helicoverpa armigera with male and female characters on the same insect.
4	Refined IPM strategies for small cardamom and black pepper in the Cardamom Hill Reserves.
5	Refined IPM strategies for the management of coconut pests including botanical cake and paste for the bio-suppression of rhinoceros beetle.
6	Elucidated the conflict in conservation of spotted grasshopper, Aularches miliaris in Cardamom Hill Reserves.
7	Characterised the gut proteinases of red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) and identified potential trypsin inhibitors.
8	Developed acoustics-based red palm weevil detector using AI through PPP mode.
9	Discovered sooty mould scavenger beetle, Leiochrinus nilgirianus involved in the bio-cleansing of sooty mould deposits on palms infested by rugose spiralling whitefly.
10	Developed conservation biological control and in situ habitat preservation of sooty mould scavenger beetle for the bio-suppression of rugose spiralling whitefly.
11	Identified and molecular characterized two invasive nesting whiteflies viz., Paraleyrodes bondari and Paraleyrodes minei on coconut from Kerala, India.
12	Developed ecological engineering model of coconut with compatible intercrops, bird perch, bee hives and eco-feast crops for pest regression and inclusive farming.
13	Discovered the whitefly Aleuroclava canangae on ornamental Coleus sp. in coconut system and established Aleuroclava canangae species group.
	Associated with
14	Development of three small cardamom varieties viz., PV-2. PV-3 and PV-5.
15	Development of two cocoa varieties viz., VTLCH-1 & VTLCH-2.
16	Diagnosis of phytoplasma-associated lethal wilt disease of coconut from East coast of India.
17	Diagnosis of the invasive root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne enterolobii from the guava plants in Kerala.
18	Discovery of a new Steinernema keralense and development of S. keralense-infected Galleria mellonella cadaver-based entomopathogenic nematode capsule for the bio-suppression of red palm weevil.
19	Development of Kalpa Anastatus ramakrishnai egg card, a biocontrol technology for the management of coreid bug.
20	Genome sequencing of the invasive rugose spiralling whitefly, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin infesting coconut.

1	TNAU-David Memorial Prize (1990-1991), TNAU-Aspee Gold Medal (1990-1991) & TNAU-Chacko Medal (1990-1991)
2	TNAU Merit Fellowship for Post graduate studies (1992-1994)
3	ICAR-Senior Research Fellowship for doctoral studies (1994-1998)
4	Qualified NET-1994; 1995 ASRB, Pusa, New Delhi
5	ICAR-The Jawaharlal Nehru Award (1999)
6	AZRA- Young Scientist Award (2002)
7	ICAR-Lal Bahadur Shastri Young Scientist Award (2001-2002)
8	Prof TN Ananthakrishnan Award for Senior Scientist (2018-2019)
9	DBT-Post Doctoral Fellowship, SPIC, Science Foundation, Chennai (2003-2004)
10	KAU- Certificate of Appreciation and Memento (2005)
11	Member, Academic Council, KAU, Thrissur (2012-2014)
12	ISPC-Dr. C.S. Venkata Ram Memorial Award (PLACROSYM-2012)
13	ISPC-Dr. R.L. Narasimha Swamy Memorial Award (PLACROSYM-2026)
14	Team Member, ICAR-CPCRI, Best Scientific Team Research Award (2024-2025)
15	ESI- Best Oral Paper presentation Award (CAU, Passighat-2014)
16	TNAU- Best Oral Paper Presentation Award (IIMASAE-2015; ISTPM-2020)
17	ISPC-ICAR-CPCRI- Best Oral Paper Presentation Award (NSHPSSDG-2025)
18	SBA-ICAR-NBAIR -Best Oral Paper Presentation Award (SICBC-2025)
19	Member, Executive Committee, ISPC, ICAR-CPCRI, Kasaragod (2024-2025)
20	Fellow-AAPMHE, ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru (2012)
21	Fellow-SPPS, ICAR-NCIPM, New Delhi (2013)
22	Fellow-ESI, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi (2023)
23	Fellow-ISPC, ICAR-CPCRI, Kasaragod (PLACROSYM-2026)

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25

1	Josephrajkumar A, Jilu VS, Merin Babu, Anes KM, Prathibha PS, Sujithra M, Hegde V. (2025) Re-emergence and molecular characterization of the slug caterpillar, Mambarilla (Contheyla) rotunda Hampson (Limacodidae: Lepidoptera) infesting coconut from Kerala, India. Int J Trop Insect Sci, https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-025-01473-z.
2	Logeshkumar P., Nalini R., Mini M.L., Vellaikumar S., Josephrajkumar A., Murugan M. and Paramasivam M. (2025) Metabolic alterations in moderately resistant West Coast Tall and susceptible Chowghat Orange Dwarf coconut varieties in response to whitefly infestation. Arthropod Plant Interaction 19:77 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11829-025-10174-w.
3	Rajesh M.K., Sujithra M., Josephrajkumar A., Latha K.R., Sabana A.A., Roli B., Praveen K.O., Alpana D. & Thottethodi S.K.P (2025) The genome sequence of rugose spiralling whitefly (Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin): Insights on biology of an invasive insect pest and implications for pest control. OMICS- A Journal of Integrative Biology DOI: 10.1177/15578100251359300.
4	Regi Jacob Thomas, Arulappan Josephrajkumar, Bharath Mohan1, Sandip Shil and Mohammedali Shareefa (2025) Relative abundance and diversity of insect foragers associated with inflorescence in dwarf varieties of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.). Current Science 128 (4): 404-413, doi: 10.18520/cs/v128/i4/404-413.
5	Sujithra M., V. H. Prathibha, M. Daliyamol, T. N. Madhu, A. Josephrajkumar and Guru‑Pirasanna‑Pandi Govindharaj (2025) Biological control of the red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) using indigenous Beauveria bassiana (Bb‑045) in coconut palms. Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control (2025) 35:21 https://doi.org/10.1186/s41938-025-00856-1.
6	Saneera E.K., Madhu T.N., Shivaji H. Thube, Thava Prakasa Pandian R., Bhavishya, Josephrajkumar A., Nirmal Kumar B.J., Bisun Bhaskar and Rajesh M.K. (2025) A comprehensive diagnosis and biology of stink bug, Halyomorpha picus (Fabricius) (Pentatomidae: Hemiptera) with notes on its management in arecanut plantations. Phytoparasitca 53:86. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12600-025-01312-4.
7	Anes KM, Patil J, Babu M, Aarthi N, Gotyal BS, Josephrajkumar A, Mhatre PH, Jilu VS, Gowda MT, Půža V. (2025) Steinernema keralense n. sp., a new entomopathogenic nematode (Nematoda: Steinernematidae) from India. J. Helminthol., 99(31): 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022149X25000136.
8	Josephrajkumar A, Gregory Evans, Merin Babu, Anes KM, Jilu VS, Vinayaka Hegde. (2024) Discovery of Aleuroclava canangae (Corbett) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on Coleus in India and the establishment and review of the Aleuroclava canangae species group. J, Nat. Hist., 58 (17-20): 603-623, http://dx.doi.org/ 10.1080/00222933.2024.2347602.
9	Shivaji Hausrao Thube, Thava Prakasa Pandiana R, Rajkumar M, Merin Babu, Josephrajkumar A, Santhoshkumar P, Nirmal Kumar BJ, Vinayaka Hegde, Balanagouda Patil, Rajashekarae H, Prabhuling T, Babasaheb B, Fand, Shailesh Gawand, Dipak Nagrale M, Devindrappa M, Rajesh MK. (2024) Euwallacea perbrevis (Schedl, 1951) and associated novel fungal symbiont, Fusarium sp.: A potential cause of wilting in cocoa, Theobroma cacao in India. Crop Protection 184: 106754 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2024.106754.
10	Madhu, T. N., Saneera, E. K., Pandian, R. T. P., Sujithra, M., Bhavishya, A., Nagaraja, N. R., Apshara, S. E., Josephrajkumar, A. and Rajesh, M. K. (2024). A new pod bioassay method to determine the toxicity of insecticides against Tea mosquito bug, Helopeltis theivora. Journal of Pesticide Science, 49(4), pp.285-291.
11	Kumar Arvind, Ginny Antony, Rajesh M.K., Josephrajkumar, A. and Tony Grace (2023) Reference genes for expression studies in different developmental stages of Oryctes rhinoceros, the coconut rhinoceros beetle. J. Asia-Pacific Entomol. 26: 102066 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aspen.2023.102066.
12	Josephrajkumar, A.., Anes K.M., Merin Babu, Pratibha P.S., Jilu V. Sajan and Vinayaka Hegde (2023) Exotic whiteflies and conservation biological control in coconut system. IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci. 1179 012006 DOI 10.1088/1755-1315/1179/1/012006.
13	Saneera E., Raguraman S., Kannan M., Josephrajkumar A. and Jeyarani S (2023) Microscopy-based morphological characterization of rugose spiraling whitefly, (Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin)-an exotic pest on coconut in India. Microsc. Res. Tech. 86(5): 529-538. DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24292.
14	Shivaji Hausrao Thube, R. Thava Prakasa Pandian, Merin Babu, A. Josephrajkumar, Priyank Hanuman Mhatre, P. Santhosh Kumar, B.J. Nirmal Kumar, Vinayaka Hegde and Satish Namdeo Chavan (2023) Evaluation of a native isolate of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschn.) Sorokin TMBMA1 against tea mosquito bug, Helopeltis theivora infesting cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.). Biological Control 170: 104909 https:// doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2022.104909.
15	Josephrajkumar A., Evans GA., Mohan C., Merin Babu, Anes KM., Alagar M. and Hegde V. (2022) Morphological and Molecular identification of the woolly whitefly, Aleurothrixus floccosus (Maskell). Int. J. Trop. Insect Sci. 42: 2493-2500. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-022-00777-8.
16	Josephrajkumar, A., Chandrika Mohan, Merin Babu, Prathibha, P.S., Vinayaka Hegde and Krishnakumar V. (2020) Diagnosis of invasive whitefly species co-occurring on coconut. Current Science. 119(7): 1101-1105.
17	Merin Babu, Thangeswari, S., Josephrajkumar, A., Krishnakumar, A., Karthikeyan, A., Selvamani, V., Daliyamol, Vinayaka Hegde, Maheswarappa, H.P. and Anitha Karun (2021) First report on the association of ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris’ with lethal wilt disease of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) in India. Journal of General Plant Pathology 87(1): 16-23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10327-020-00970-y.
18	Josephrajkumar A., Chandrika Mohan, Merin Babu, Arya Krishna, Krishnakumar V., Vinayaka Hegde and Chowdappa, P. (2019) First record of the invasive Bondar’s nesting whitefly, Paraleyrodes bondari Peracchi on coconut from India. Phytoparasitica 47(3): 333-339 DOI 10.1007/s12600-019-00741-2.
19	Josephrajkumar A., Chandrika Mohan, Poorani J., Merin Babu, Krishnakumar V., Vinayaka Hegde and Chowdappa P. (2018) Discovery of sooty mould scavenger beetle, Leiochrinus nilgirianus Kazsab (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) on coconut palms infested by the invasive rugose spiralling whitefly, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin (Hemiptera : Aleyrodidae). Phytoparasitica 46(1): 57-61. DOI: 10.1007/s12600-017-0635-5.
20	Chandrika Mohan, Josephrajkumar A., Merin Babu, Arya Krishna, Prathibha P.S., Krishnakumar V. and Vinayaka Hegde (2019) Non-native Neotropical nesting whitefly, Paraleyrodes minei Iaccarino on coconut palms in India and its co-existence with Bondar’s nesting whitefly, Paraleyrodes bondari Peracchi. Current Science 117(3): 515-519. doi: 10.18520/cs/v117/i3/515-519.
21	Josephrajkumar A., Chandrika Mohan and Chaturvedi V.K. (2016) Suppression of growth and endopeptidases of red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier), infesting coconut using proteinase inhibitors. Entomon 41 (4): 283-293.
22	Josephrajkumar A., Rajan P., Chandra Mohanan R. and Jacob P.M. (2011) Management and conservation dilemmas surrounding a Near-Threatened grasshopper, Aularches miliaris Linn. (Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphidae) in south India. Journal of Orthoptera Research 20(1): 103-107.
23	Josephrajkumar A., Romit C. and George Thomas (2006) Midgut proteases of cardamom shoot and capsule borer, (Conogethes punctiferalis Gunee) and their interaction with aprotinin. Bulletin of Entomological Research 96(1): 91-98.
24	Josephrajkumar A. and Subrahmanyam B. (2002) DNA synthesis in the imaginal wing discs of the American bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera Hubner. Journal of Biosciences 27(2): 113-120.
25	Josephrajkumar A., Subrahmanyam B. and Srinivasan (1999) Plumbagin and azadirachtin deplete haemolymph ecdysteroid levels and alter the activity profiles of two lysosomal enzymes in the fat body of Helicoverpa armigera Hubner (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae). European Journal of Entomology 96 (4): 347-353.