Rakesh Kumar Daroch

@cuhimachal.ac.in

Associate Professor, Department of Animal Sciences
Central university of Himachal Pradesh

Rakesh Kumar Daroch


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https://researchid.co/rakeshd4

EDUCATION

Ph.D Entomology and Apiculture

RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS

Agricultural and Biological Sciences, Animal Science and Zoology, Insect Science, Horticulture
6

Scopus Publications

119

Scholar Citations

6

Scholar h-index

3

Scholar i10-index

Scopus Publications

  • Genetic diversity analysis of Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) populations infesting vegetables in low and mid hills of Himachal Pradesh
    Akriti Chauhan, Rakesh Kumar Daroch, Rohini Sharma, Vishav Gaurav Singh Chandel, Sangita Sharma, Kuldeep Singh Thakur, Robin Singh
    Oriental Insects, 2026
    This study assesses the genetic diversity of whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) in vegetable crops across four districts, viz. Solan, Shimla, Sirmour and Una of Himachal Pradesh, India. Morphological and genetic analysis revealed the presence of a distinct population of T. vaporariorum in Santoshgarh, Una. Phylogenetic analysis grouped whitefly populations into three clades (Clades I, II and III), with Clade I indicating the presence of a distinct population suggesting a biotype. Population dynamics were monitored from the 15th to the 34th Standard Meteorological Week (SMW) of 2023, with peak populations observed in the 24th SMW. Correlation analysis indicated that whitefly abundance was positively associated with maximum temperature and negatively correlated with minimum temperature and relative humidity, while rainfall had no significant effect. For pest management, various biopesticides and insecticides were evaluated, where imidacloprid 17.80% SL achieving the highest reduction in whitefly population (83.86%) up to 14 days post-application. Among biopesticides, Azadirachtin (1500 ppm) at 3 ml/L was the most effective, reducing whitefly populations by 52.19%. These findings enhance understanding of whitefly incidence, genetic variability and effective control measures in tomato crops.
  • A Systematic Review on Classification, Exposure Pathways of Micropollutants in the Aquatic Environment, and Its Associated Human Health Risks
    Akshay Kumar, Chakshu Thakur, Kushal Thakur, Arvind Kumar Sharma, Rakesh Kumar Daroch, Rakesh Kumar, Sunil Kumar, Amit Kumar Sharma
    Journal of Applied Toxicology, 2026
    Micropollutants are a diverse group of trace‐level emerging contaminants present in different parts of the environment and causing notable risks to human health and aquatic life. They mainly originate from industrial, agricultural, pharmaceutical, and domestic sources, contaminating water bodies, where they induce toxicity in aquatic biota, bioaccumulate through food webs, and ultimately reach humans via ingestion, inhalation, and dermal exposure. Accumulating scientific research shows that exposure to micropollutants is associated with endocrine disruption, reproductive disorders, hormone‐sensitive cancers, and dysfunction of the cardiovascular, respiratory, and immune systems. Their persistence, tendency to bioaccumulate, and chemically diverse modes of action further complicate their toxicological profiles. This systematic review evaluates findings from epidemiological, experimental, and molecular research published between 2000 and 2025 to provide a comprehensive perspective on micropollutant toxicity. Notably, it highlights critical research gaps, including inconsistent datasets, variation in defining chronic exposure, and limited investigation of combined or antagonistic effects of micropollutant mixtures. Addressing these gaps requires coordinated policy strategies, advances in remediation technology, and continuous scientific innovation to ensure public health protection and preserve the integrity of aquatic ecosystems. To bridge this gap, the present review proposes a systematic classification framework based on key sources, chemical nature, pathways, and ecotoxicological effects, while simultaneously elucidating their environmental dissemination in aquatic systems and characterizing their toxicological implications for both aquatic ecosystems and human health.
  • Developmental biology and pestilence of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in apple orchards of North Himalayan India: an assessment based on age-stage 2-sex life table
    Vani Sharma, Rakesh Kumar Daroch, Ojas Chauhan, Prem Lal Sharma, Pramod Kumar
    Journal of Economic Entomology, 2025
    Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), commonly known as the American Bollworm, was observed by researchers and orchardists, feeding on apple fruits grown in high-density plantations with an extent of damage up to 10–15% at various sites. We tested its biotic potential as a potential host for 3 apple varieties namely, Jeromine, Gale Gala and Red Velox at the pea, walnut and mature fruit stages with chickpea- and chickpea-based diet used as control. The experiment was conducted in the North Himalayan region spanning between 33.120625, 75.571136 to 32.223586, 77.801360. The test-insect completed its life cycle on immature apple fruits but didn’t survive beyond fifth instar for the mature fruits stage, indicating its preference for immature fruits. The biological and population growth parameters were observed with highest values of finite rate of increase (λ) and intrinsic rate of increase (r) and minimum generation time (T) for insects reared on fruits of Gale Gala at the walnut stage (1.17, 0.15, and 36.59 d, respectively). Among all the varieties, Gale Gala was found to be the most suitable host at the walnut stage, while Red Velox was the least preferable host at both pea and walnut stage. Overall, investigations on the biology of H. armigera revealed apple as a preferred prospective host. If favourable environmental conditions like warm temperatures and high humidity exist, the insect may cause significant harm to high-density apple fruit crops, necessitating its management in the future.
  • Detection and molecular characterization of phytoplasma associated with cherry trees in Himachal Pradesh (India)
    Aman Chauhan, Anil Handa, Ajay Brakta, Pankaj Kumar, Bhupesh Gupta, Rakesh Daroch, Abhinav Thakur
    Crop Protection, 2025
  • Host range expansion of Helicoverpa armigera to apple orchards in the Himalayan region
    Chander Singh, Subhash Chander Verma, Prem Lal Sharma, Rakesh Kumar Daroch, Vishav Gaurav Singh Chandel, Rajeshwar Singh Chandel, Vibhuti Sharma, Anshuman Semwal, Ojas Chauhan
    Scientific Reports, 2025
    Helicoverpa armigera is an important polyphagous pest of agriculture worldwide. In the current study, the pest has been found to diversify its host range to apple in Himachal Pradesh (India). Currently, H. armigera is found in almost all continents except Antarctica as per CABI and EPPO report and it feed over 300 crops making it a highly damaging and polyphagous pest. In apple orchards of Northern Himalayan region, the larvae were found damaging leaves and young fruits. The present study reveals the current status of infestation and overall mean infestation was observed to be 32.31% in the apple orchards with a range from 12.09 to 41.44%. The lowest infestation of 12.09% and maximum infestation of 38.22% was found during pea stage and lowest infestation of 18.03% and maximum infestation of 41.44% was recorded in case of walnut stage in different apple orchards. Since, apple is a major horticultural crop of Himachal Pradesh and this pest may pose a threat to the economy of apple growers in near future. Ecological versatility, global climate changes, injudicious use of insecticides, advanced detoxification mechanisms and changing farming practices may be responsible for the expanded host range of H. armigera. Therefore stakeholders need to implement various management practices against this pest so that upcoming losses may be avoided.
  • A new species of genus Tephritis Latreille and a new distribution record of genus Urophora Robineau-Desvoidy, from India
    MANEESH PAL SINGH, RAKESH DAROCH, SEVERYN V. KORNEYEV, ISHA SHARMA
    Zootaxa, 2023
    A new species of Tephritis Latreille, Tephritis himalayae Maneesh and Korneyev, sp. n. is described from the higher hills of Himachal Pradesh (India). The species was found breeding on the very common orchard weed Cirsium falconeri (Hook.f.). The new species belongs to the hyoscyami-conura group of species and is very closely related to T. cardualis Hardy. An identification key for the genus Tephritis known from the Indian subcontinent is given. In addition, Urophora terebrans (Loew), a Palearctic species, is recorded from the mid-hills of Himachal Pradesh, India. Illustrations for both species are given.

RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • Genetic diversity analysis of Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) populations infesting vegetables in low and mid hills of Himachal Pradesh
    A Chauhan, RK Daroch, R Sharma, VGS Chandel, S Sharma, KS Thakur, ...
    Oriental Insects, 1-14 , 2026
    2026
    Citations: 1
  • Developmental biology and pestilence of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in apple orchards of North Himalayan India: an assessment based on age …
    V Sharma, RK Daroch, O Chauhan, PL Sharma, P Kumar
    Journal of Economic Entomology 118 (6), 2877-2886 , 2025
    2025
  • Detection and molecular characterization of phytoplasma associated with cherry trees in Himachal Pradesh (India)
    A Chauhan, A Handa, A Brakta, P Kumar, B Gupta, R Daroch, A Thakur
    Crop Protection, 107405 , 2025
    2025
  • Host range expansion of Helicoverpa armigera to apple orchards in the Himalayan region
    C Singh, SC Verma, PL Sharma, RK Daroch, VGS Chandel, RS Chandel, ...
    Scientific Reports 15 (1), 22341 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 5
  • Repercussion of colony conditions on attributes of Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) drones
    RKDS Ojas Chauhan, Priyanka Thakur, Harish Kumar Sharma, Kiran Rana, Neha ...
    International Journal of Tropical Insect Science 2025 (https://doi.org/10 … , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 1
  • Integrated Control of Fruit Flies (Bactrocera spp.) in Mango and Cucumber Cultivations Utilizing Para-pheromone Traps and Innovative Insecticide Compounds
    AKSDS Nitesh Sharma, Rakesh Kumar Daroch, Divender Gupta, Binoy Singh
    Agriculture Association of Textile Chemical and Critical Reviews Journal 13 … , 2025
    2025
  • Prevalence and transmission potential of tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) by whitefly vectors on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in Himachal Pradesh, India.
    Robin, Rakesh K, Subhash CV, Rohini S, Akriti C, Nishant
    Plant Sci. Today 12, 1-11 , 2025
    2025
  • Biochemical profiling of tetraploid potato (Solanum tuberosum) genotypes
    J Singh, D Kumar, V Bhardwaj, S Sood, RK Daroch
    Indian J Agric Sci 94 (10), 1069-1074 , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 1
  • Unraveling the enigma of root-knot nematodes: from origins to advanced management strategies in agriculture
    S Vashisth, P Kumar, VGS Chandel, R Kumar, SC Verma, RS Chandel
    Planta 260 (2), 36 , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 31
  • A new species of genus Tephritis Latreille and a new distribution record of genus Urophora Robineau-Desvoidy, from India
    MANEESH PAL SINGH, RAKESH DAROCH, SEVERYN V. KORNEYEV
    Zootaxa 5375 (3), 336-348 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 6
  • Evaluation of a new acaricide, pyridaben 20% WP against phytophagous apple mites.
    S Joginder, S Sangita, K Rakesh
    Journal of Entomological Research, 2023, Vol. 47, No. 3, 538-542 47 (3), 538-542 , 2023
    2023
  • Evidence for upholding the association of whitefly species Bemisia tabaci and Trialeurodes vaporariorum with Tomato yellow leaf curl virus.
    Robin, R Kumar, S Kapoor, A Handa
    Plant Pathology Journal 22 (1), 25-38 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 2
  • Pestilence report of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) in apple fruit orchards in Northern Himalayan regions of India
    V Sharma, RK Daroch, IK Kasi, PL Sharma, P Kumar
    2022
    Citations: 1
  • Climate Change and Its Effects on Agricultural Insect- Pests
    AT Ojas Chauhan, Neha Negi, Rakesh K. Daroch
    Environment in 21st Century ISBN-13 (15) 978-93-94570-38-2 3, 128 , 2022
    2022
  • Status of bee keeping in Himachal Pradesh, India: A review
    A Sharma, RK Daroch, R Kapoor, IK Kasi
    The Pharma Innovation Journal 11 (3), 257-265 , 2022
    2022
    Citations: 8
  • Biology, predatory potential and growth parameters of the syrphid fly, Scaeva pyrastri (L.) (Diptera: Syrphidae) feeding on the cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (L.)
    NSPS Shivani Palial, S. C. Verma, P. L. Sharma, R. S. Chandel, Rakesh Kumar ...
    Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control 32, 134 , 2022
    2022
    Citations: 6
  • New insights of processionary moth, Thaumetopoea cheela on pistachio nut (Pistacia vera): Interaction effect on flowering and nut yield
    RKPK RAJESHWAR S CHANDEL1, JOGINDER SINGH2, P L SHARMA3
    Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences 89 (11), 1818–22 , 2019
    2019
  • Bioefficacy of Podophyllotoxin against Plutella xylostella and Pieris brassicae
    K Rakesh
    International Journal of Agriculture Sciences, ISSN, 0975-3710 , 2018
    2018
  • Biological activities of Melia azedarach L fractions against Plutella xylostella L affecting cabbage and cauliflower
    R Kumar, KC Sharma, RS Chandel
    AgricINTERNATIONAL 2 (1and2), 32-44 , 2015
    2015
  • Poplar rust spores ( Melamospora ciliata ) as bee forage.
    RK Thakur, RK Rakesh Kumar
    2010

MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • Bioefficacy of some plant products against Diamond back moth Plutella xylostella L.(Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae)
    A Sharma, P Kaushal, KC Sharma, R Kumar
    Journal of Entomological Research 30 (3), 213 , 2006
    2006
    Citations: 38
  • Unraveling the enigma of root-knot nematodes: from origins to advanced management strategies in agriculture
    S Vashisth, P Kumar, VGS Chandel, R Kumar, SC Verma, RS Chandel
    Planta 260 (2), 36 , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 31
  • Studies on ovicidal effects of some plant extracts against the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) infesting cauliflower crop
    R Kumar, KC Sharma, D Kumar
    Biol. Forum Int. J 1 (1), 47-50 , 2009
    2009
    Citations: 17
  • Status of bee keeping in Himachal Pradesh, India: A review
    A Sharma, RK Daroch, R Kapoor, IK Kasi
    The Pharma Innovation Journal 11 (3), 257-265 , 2022
    2022
    Citations: 8
  • A new species of genus Tephritis Latreille and a new distribution record of genus Urophora Robineau-Desvoidy, from India
    MANEESH PAL SINGH, RAKESH DAROCH, SEVERYN V. KORNEYEV
    Zootaxa 5375 (3), 336-348 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 6
  • Biology, predatory potential and growth parameters of the syrphid fly, Scaeva pyrastri (L.) (Diptera: Syrphidae) feeding on the cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (L.)
    NSPS Shivani Palial, S. C. Verma, P. L. Sharma, R. S. Chandel, Rakesh Kumar ...
    Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control 32, 134 , 2022
    2022
    Citations: 6
  • Host range expansion of Helicoverpa armigera to apple orchards in the Himalayan region
    C Singh, SC Verma, PL Sharma, RK Daroch, VGS Chandel, RS Chandel, ...
    Scientific Reports 15 (1), 22341 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 5
  • Evidence for upholding the association of whitefly species Bemisia tabaci and Trialeurodes vaporariorum with Tomato yellow leaf curl virus.
    Robin, R Kumar, S Kapoor, A Handa
    Plant Pathology Journal 22 (1), 25-38 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 2
  • Effect of continuous exposure of insecticides on the developmental biology of diamondback moth Plutella xylostella L.(Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae)
    A Sharma, KC Sharma, R Kumar, U Chauhan
    Journal of Entomological Research 32 (3), 233-236 , 2008
    2008
    Citations: 2
  • Genetic diversity analysis of Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) populations infesting vegetables in low and mid hills of Himachal Pradesh
    A Chauhan, RK Daroch, R Sharma, VGS Chandel, S Sharma, KS Thakur, ...
    Oriental Insects, 1-14 , 2026
    2026
    Citations: 1
  • Repercussion of colony conditions on attributes of Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) drones
    RKDS Ojas Chauhan, Priyanka Thakur, Harish Kumar Sharma, Kiran Rana, Neha ...
    International Journal of Tropical Insect Science 2025 (https://doi.org/10 … , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 1
  • Biochemical profiling of tetraploid potato (Solanum tuberosum) genotypes
    J Singh, D Kumar, V Bhardwaj, S Sood, RK Daroch
    Indian J Agric Sci 94 (10), 1069-1074 , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 1
  • Pestilence report of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) in apple fruit orchards in Northern Himalayan regions of India
    V Sharma, RK Daroch, IK Kasi, PL Sharma, P Kumar
    2022
    Citations: 1
  • Developmental biology and pestilence of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in apple orchards of North Himalayan India: an assessment based on age …
    V Sharma, RK Daroch, O Chauhan, PL Sharma, P Kumar
    Journal of Economic Entomology 118 (6), 2877-2886 , 2025
    2025
  • Detection and molecular characterization of phytoplasma associated with cherry trees in Himachal Pradesh (India)
    A Chauhan, A Handa, A Brakta, P Kumar, B Gupta, R Daroch, A Thakur
    Crop Protection, 107405 , 2025
    2025
  • Integrated Control of Fruit Flies (Bactrocera spp.) in Mango and Cucumber Cultivations Utilizing Para-pheromone Traps and Innovative Insecticide Compounds
    AKSDS Nitesh Sharma, Rakesh Kumar Daroch, Divender Gupta, Binoy Singh
    Agriculture Association of Textile Chemical and Critical Reviews Journal 13 … , 2025
    2025
  • Prevalence and transmission potential of tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) by whitefly vectors on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in Himachal Pradesh, India.
    Robin, Rakesh K, Subhash CV, Rohini S, Akriti C, Nishant
    Plant Sci. Today 12, 1-11 , 2025
    2025
  • Evaluation of a new acaricide, pyridaben 20% WP against phytophagous apple mites.
    S Joginder, S Sangita, K Rakesh
    Journal of Entomological Research, 2023, Vol. 47, No. 3, 538-542 47 (3), 538-542 , 2023
    2023
  • Climate Change and Its Effects on Agricultural Insect- Pests
    AT Ojas Chauhan, Neha Negi, Rakesh K. Daroch
    Environment in 21st Century ISBN-13 (15) 978-93-94570-38-2 3, 128 , 2022
    2022
  • New insights of processionary moth, Thaumetopoea cheela on pistachio nut (Pistacia vera): Interaction effect on flowering and nut yield
    RKPK RAJESHWAR S CHANDEL1, JOGINDER SINGH2, P L SHARMA3
    Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences 89 (11), 1818–22 , 2019
    2019