Description

About The Book

This textbook is a comprehensive and structured compilation of subjective questions and answers tailored for aspirants preparing for Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) examinations in agricultural entomology. Designed over a span of seven years (2018–2025), it is the result of meticulous research and continuous academic engagement. Drawing from a wide array of authoritative textbooks, manuals, and competitive exam guides, each answer in this volume has been carefully crafted to reflect scientific precision, conceptual clarity, and examination relevance. The book extensively covers all topics outlined in the ASRB-prescribed entomology syllabus, including insect systematics, morphology, anatomy and physiology, ecology, biological and chemical control, host plant resistance, innovative pest control approaches, integrated pest management, pesticide application equipment, crop pest management, stored product pests, vector biology, apiculture, sericulture, lac culture, and beneficial insects. Each unit concludes with dedicated mock test papers that simulate real examination settings. Answers are framed in strict accordance with ASRB’s recommended word limits: 50 words for 5-mark, 100 words for 10-mark, and 150 words for 15-mark questions, providing students with a model framework for writing precise and effective responses. With over 1000 curated questions and model answers, this book acts as both a preparatory manual and a quick revision guide for aspirants.

About The Author

Dr. Amit Umesh Paschapur is a Senior Scientist at ICAR – Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan, Almora, Uttarakhand. He holds a B.Sc. (Agri) from UAS, Dharwad, an M.Sc. (Agri) from PJTSAU, Hyderabad, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at ICAR-IARI, New Delhi as an in-service candidate. Dr. Paschapur has excelled in various national-level competitive exams, securing top ranks in ICAR-JRF, ICAR-SRF, IARI Ph.D. entrance, and the all-India ARS exam. With over 45 research and review articles, 12 book chapters, and several academic contributions, he has mentored numerous students and organized national symposiums, significantly impacting the agricultural research and education community.

Dr. Guru P N, a Senior Scientist at the ICAR-Central Institute of Post Harvest Engineering and Technology, Ludhiana, has a Ph.D. in Agricultural Entomology from MPKV Rahuri. He completed his B.Sc. in Agriculture from UAS Dharwad and his M.Sc. in the same field from UASD. With seven years of research experience, his expertise includes pesticide residue analysis, soil arthropods, pest population dynamics, storage pest management, and engineering-based entomological solutions. He has published more than 25 research papers, authored 2 books, 6 book chapters, developed 4 technologies, holds 2 patents, and contributed several popular articles to the field.

Dr. Ipsita Samal is a Scientist (Entomology) at ICAR-National Research Centre on Litchi (NRCL), Muzaffarpur, Bihar. She earned her Ph.D. in Entomology from IARI, New Delhi, where she focused on host-plant resistance mechanisms and insect-plant interactions. She also holds an M.Sc. in Agricultural Entomology from IARI and a B.Sc. in Agriculture from OUAT, Bhubaneswar. Dr. Samal’s core expertise lies in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for fruit crops, especially litchi, with specialization in pest surveillance, host resistance, and sustainable ecological control practices.

Dr. Nikhil Raj M is currently working as a Subject Matter Specialist (Plant Protection) at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Khunti, under ICAR-National Institute of Secondary Agriculture, Ranchi. He completed his B.Sc. (Hons.) in Agriculture from Kerala Agricultural University, M.Sc. in Agricultural Entomology from Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Hyderabad, and Ph.D. in Entomology from ICAR-IARI, New Delhi. With a strong research background in host plant resistance and insecticide toxicology, he is now actively engaged in extension services, bringing scientific plant protection practices to the grassroots level.