Entomological research work on forest insects dates back to 1906 carrying out fundamental and applied research. The life- histories, biology, ecology and control measures of most of the major tropical forest insect pests have been worked out. Besides this, having a finest national insect reference collection (NIRC) built up over the years efforts comprising more than 22,000 identified insect species and 1900 type specimens from 330 families and 29 insect orders. A Entomological Museum, Zoological gallery and a rich wet collection of immature stages of insects is also maintained. The above collection of animal resources particularly on insects is a great source of knowledge and public awareness besides a national asset. The work is undertaken to cater the research needs related to concerned state forest departments, other organisations on insect pest problems, their remedial measures, so as to reduce the insect attack and damage for enhancement of the forest productivity. The special emphasis has been given to develop environmentally safe and ecofriendly preventive and remedial methods, following Integrated Pest Management (IPM) against insect pests of coniferous and broad leaved species. 
 

THRUST AREAS

         The main thrust of research activities is to evolve such eco-friendly methods found helpful in enhancement of forest productivity, helpful in reducing qualitative and qualitative losses due to insect attack to forest and forest products, timber in storage (includes Bamboos), harvested, converted or fabricated timber and finished wood product. The prioritized areas of research are summarized as under.

1. To study the bionomics, ecology of the key pests posing potential threat to forest includes agroforestry/social forestry plantations (coniferous and broad leaved) in hilly and plain areas.

2. To promote research work in seed entomology and timber entomology.

3. To evolve suitable, economically viable and ecologically sound control measures preferably biological, microbial, biopesticidal methods as an alternatives to insecticides also includes insect behavior regulators (IGR's), studying various clones showing natural insect resistance etc.

4. To promote and strengthened ecotaxonomic (Biosystematics) research work leading to insect biodiversity and its conservation, maintenance of NIRC and its updating etc.

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
 

1. Monitored the activity, local abundance and population dynamics of major insect species (15 target species) belonging to forestry importance, in addition to work out local distribution of insect fauna in Doon Valley. During 1998-99, trapped 8,9237 insects, their population level (light, moderate and high) and its fluctuation recorded under changing climatic condition, using light trap method.

2. Laboratory evaluation of natural termite resistance in bamboos (19 spp) was carried out and tested against termite. In addition, studied influence of water seasoning on termite resistance in bamboo (12 spp). Tested efficacy of chemicals for protection of bamboo using Zinc Chloride, Copper, Sulphate, Boric Acid, Phenylhydrazine, Diesel Oil tested against termite. The commerical preparation i.e conifidor 200 SL and Gaucho-70 WS (Bayer's India) tested against termite resistance. showed promising effective results.

3. Management of sal heartwood borer in natural sal forest was undertaken through trap tree operation and removal of inoculum of insect from forest reduced the incidence of borer attack. Further, the studies on testing and using Kairomone as an alternative to trap tree operation, is in progress. The efficacy and effectiveness of different formulation toward borer was tested. The Kairomone trap was designed and fabricated used during trials. 

4. Evaluated natural insect resistance against key defoliator Closter Cupreata of poplar P. deltoides in 400 clones showed clones D-171, 82-42-5, 3167, 3324, S7 C13, D273, S7 C4, D-67 D-82, 3567, WSL-4, WSL-12, WSL-18 identified and were found more promising in terms of insect resistance and growth performance.

5. Bio-ecological studies were conducted against two major insect, defoliators Ascotis selenaria imparata and Selepa celtis (Polyphagous Pest), evaluated pest status, investigated pest biology, ecology in detail. In A selenaria, These are 6 generations and in S. celtis recorded 5 generations in a year. The experiments of host plant preference conducted on these defoliators, which defoliates sal, poplar, teak, amla, mulbery, gamhar, jamun, babool, bahera and also appear in outbreak. The natural insect enemy complex and pest management is understudy.

6. Natural, native, pre-developmental butterfly diversity existing in tropical most deciduous sal forest of Doon Valley in lower Western Himalayas has been identified and compared with the diversity under different land use pattern (phase wise). The habit of species has also been studied.

7. Major insect pests of bamboos are being studied and management of the pest will be worked out.

8. Cone and seed insects, of 40 tree species were studied and assessed the damage due to various insects. Further, chemical control measures for cone and seed insects of 16 tree species were evolved.

9. Under the biological control of key defoliators of poplar and shisham, detailed studies were conducted based on surveys, sampling, record of insect damage, incidence of attack and population dynamic of the defoliator Clostera cupreata attacking poplar and other defoliators Plecoptera reflexa and Dichomeris eridentis defoliating shisham, also appears in epidemic completed. The screening, identification of the natural enemies (parasites and predators) was carried out. The parasitisation and predation potential of promising biocontrol agents worked out. The mass culture techniques were evolved for field application, using as effective biocontrol agents based on laboratory trials.

10. Biocontrol studies against poplar defoliator results reveals, record of ten (10) parasitoids where as six (6) of them were found as new record. The egg parasitoid Trichogramma poliae and Telenomus colemani found as promising one. Among predators, the predatory bug Canthecona furcellate was found potential predator, besides other 8- coccinellid predatory beetles recorded. The praying mantids (4 species) were also found as natural predator of the pest, reducing the pest population.

11. In microbial control work, recorded infestation of fungal pathogen Asperigillus sp. on sal defoliator L. semicincta larvae while another pathogen Fusarvim sp. Infesting on bamboo defoliator Crypsiptya coclesalis. - The pathogencity test was conducted and detailed studies are in progress.

12. Bioecology of two important defoliators of Bamboo, a lepidopterous caterpillar Crypsiptya coclesalis Walk and coleopterous beetle Downesia gestroi Baly studied in detail and control measures worked out.

         The future programme of research is based on the work proposed and approved to be undertaken under various ongoing projects. The following research activities are continued given as under.
1. Under the Normal Project (FRI-63/FED-2) on management of Sal Heartwood Borer in natural forest in Shiwalik, Dehradun Forest Division, Rajaji National Park, Dehra Dun the monitoring and trapping will continue. Epidemiology of borer, testing and analysing the oozing sap (Kairomone) will undertaken in more details to obtain promising results so as to find out its practical utility in the field.
2. Under the Normal Project (FRI-76/FED-06) on natural insect resistance in poplar clone against key defoliator, evaluation and confirmation of resistance, susceptibility in newly introduced germ plasm, chemical analysis of leaf contents, antifeedents etc will be carried out.
3. Under the Normal Project (FRI-132/FED-07) on the insect pest species Ascotis and Selepa key defoliators of economically important species need confirmation is to be completed and management aspect will be studied in detail so as 5to find out effective and applicable measures for field application
4. Under the Normal Project (FRI-145/FED-09), The work related to evaluation of butterfly diversity under different land use patterns in Doon Vally identification of taxa, conservation priorties will be studied, as per proposed programme. 
5. Under the Normal Project (FRI-144/FED-8) on Bamboo pest and their management, the studies on key pest will be continued to workout the pest biology and to evolve control measures effective in protection against borer and sapsuckers.
 

RESEARCH FACILITIES
 

The division has well equipped laboratories for pure and applied research work, modern equipments like environmental chambers, BOD incubators, Insect activity meter, Leaf area meter, Sophisticated Sterozome Microscopes and Binocular Microscopes, Image Analyser System, VFS, controlled Temp. Rooms to conduct research experiments besides providing field facilities.
  

SERVICES AVAILABLE

The following services are provided

• Insect identification.

• Testing of timber including bamboos and other products against termite and borer resistance.

• Phyto sanitary certification.