Dr. Sangamesh R Hiremath

Dr. Sangamesh R Hiremath is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Agricultural Entomology, School of Agriculture, at Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore. He holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Entomology from Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur, completed in 2021, an M.Sc. in Entomology from the University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga, completed in 2015, and a B.Sc. in Horticulture from the University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot, completed in 2013. He also qualified the ICAR-NET in 2015. His research background includes taxonomy and systematics of Indian longhorned beetles, biodiversity, bioecology, pest diagnostics, and commercial apiculture.

His research interests include taxonomy of longhorned beetles, beekeeping and pollination biology, bio-ecology and management of borer pests in Coleoptera, and molecular systematics of longhorned beetles. His expertise encompasses insect taxonomy and systematics, morphology-based diagnostics, comparative taxonomy, genitalia dissection and species identification, microscopy, insect specimen curation, and insectary management. His doctoral research focused on the Lamiinae of southern India, involving taxonomic studies, morphological descriptions, genitalia studies, species identification, and documentation of new species.

At Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, his responsibilities include teaching, research, and extension. He has handled courses such as Fundamentals of Entomology, Pests of Crops and Stored Grains and Their Management, Principles of Integrated Pest and Disease Management, Management of Beneficial Insects, and an Experiential Learning Programme in Commercial Beekeeping. His innovation activities include the development of beeswax-based personal care products and supervision of student innovations such as a bee-vacuum and beeswax foundation comb maker. He has also been involved in the establishment and maintenance of the Entomology Laboratory, butterfly garden, and apiary, and has contributed to extension activities related to pest management and bee colony rescue and relocation.

Dr. Sangamesh R Hiremath has published research in insect taxonomy, biodiversity, pest documentation, biological and molecular characterization, and the identification of economically important insect species. His publications include studies on longhorned beetles, wood-boring insects, invasive pests, pest-host associations, and insect biodiversity in southern India. He has received the Jawaharlal Nehru Scholarship for Doctoral Studies in 2016, the Best Brief Oral Presentation Award at the Golden Jubilee International Conference on Global Perspectives in Crop Protection for Food Security in 2021, and the Society for Biocontrol Advancement (SBA) Dr. Abraham Verghese’s Award for Best Ph.D. Thesis in 2022. He also received training in the taxonomy of insects and mites and has been associated with a collaborative KITS–NBAIR project funded through an Advanced Research Grant.