BENIFICIAL INSECT FARMING

COURSE
DESCRIPTOR




 

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Objectives
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COs
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COPO
Mapping
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Course Syllabus
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Session Plan
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Course Title	BENIFICIAL INSECT FARMING
Course Code	CUTM 3124	Credits	0+2+0
Department	ENTOMOLOGY	School	CSoSAg
Course Coordinator	Dr.Suman Samilita Dash, Assistant Professor, Entomology
Email	sumansamilitadash@cutmap.ac.in	Contact No.	9335669536
Course Faculty	Dr. Suman Samilita Dash
Learning Hours	03 Hours/Week
Course Type	Skill Enhancement Course
Offer in Academic Year	2026-27,  III semester

Introduction:




Why this course:

Beneficial insects play a vital role in sustainable agriculture by providing
essential ecosystem services such as pollination, biological control of insect
pests, production of economically valuable products, organic waste recycling,
and environmental conservation. Commercial farming of beneficial insects has
emerged as a promising agri-enterprise that supports crop productivity,
biodiversity conservation, and rural livelihoods. This Skill Enhancement Course
is designed to provide students with theoretical knowledge and practical skills
in the farming and management of economically important beneficial insects
including honey bees, silkworms, lac insects, parasitoids, predators,
mealworms, and black soldier flies. Students will gain hands-on experience in bee
hive management, sericulture, lac cultivation, mass multiplication of
biological control agents, insect identification, and insect rearing techniques
through laboratory exercises and field visits. The course also introduces
students to entrepreneurial opportunities in apiculture, sericulture, lac
production, biological control industries, insect protein production, and
sustainable agriculture, enabling them to develop technical competence for
self-employment, research, extension, and commercial insect farming.

Course
Objectives:



1.
Develop fundamental knowledge
of the biology, diversity, ecological importance, and economic significance of
beneficial insects used in agriculture and allied industries.
2.
Acquire practical skills in the
identification, handling, rearing, management, and commercial production of
honey bees, silkworms, lac insects, parasitoids, predators, mealworms, and
black soldier flies.
3.
Understand the principles of
pollination, biological pest management, insect-based products, and sustainable
insect farming technologies.
4.
Develop entrepreneurial skills
for establishing and managing profitable beneficial insect farming enterprises
that support sustainable agriculture and rural livelihoods

Course Outcomes



After successful completion of this course, students will
be able to:

CO1

:
Explain the biology, diversity, ecological significance, and economic
importance of major beneficial insects used in agriculture, pollination,
biological control, sericulture, lac culture, and insect-based enterprises.

CO2

:
Identify economically important beneficial insects, their life stages,
morphology, host plants, natural habitats, and commercial products using
standard identification techniques.

CO3

:
Incorporate practical skills in bee hive management, silkworm rearing, lac
cultivation, mass multiplication of parasitoids, and rearing of mealworms and
black soldier flies following recommended scientific practices.

CO4

:
Evaluate the role of beneficial insects in sustainable agriculture, integrated
pest management, environmental conservation, and agri-entrepreneurship, and
propose suitable farming practices for commercial production and income
generation.

Programme Outcomes



After successful completion of
the programme, graduates will be able to:

PO1: Knowledge
Enhancement

: Demonstrate comprehensive
knowledge of agricultural sciences, including Agronomy, Entomology, Plant
Pathology, Horticulture, Soil Science, Genetics and Plant Breeding, and other
allied disciplines.

PO2: Professional
Enhancement

: Develop professional competence
through lifelong learning, continuous skill development, and adoption of
emerging agricultural technologies.

PO3: Entrepreneurship
Skills

: Apply entrepreneurial principles for
establishing, managing, and expanding sustainable agri-business ventures and
self-employment opportunities.

PO4: Communication and
Extension Skills

: Communicate scientific
knowledge effectively to farmers, stakeholders, and society through extension
activities and modern communication tools.

PO5: Teamwork

: Work efficiently as an individual and as a member or leader of
multidisciplinary teams to solve agricultural problems.

PO6: Educational
Leadership

: Demonstrate leadership qualities
in addressing agricultural challenges through innovation, extension, and
community engagement.

PO7: Data Handling

: Collect, analyze, interpret, and present scientific data using
appropriate statistical and analytical methods.

PO8: Ethics

: Practice professional ethics, integrity, biosafety, and social
responsibility while performing agricultural activities.

PO9: Computational
Skills

: Utilize digital technologies, computer
applications, and information management tools for scientific analysis and
decision-making.

PO10: Modern Tool Usage

: Use modern laboratory equipment, precision agriculture tools, ICT,
and other advanced technologies in agricultural production and research.

PO11: Environment and
Sustainability

: Promote environmentally
sustainable agricultural practices through biodiversity conservation,
integrated farming systems, and efficient resource utilization.

PO12: Project
Management and Finance

: Apply project
planning, financial management, marketing, and resource management principles
in agricultural enterprises and multidisciplinary projects.

CO – PO Mapping

Course Outcomes	PO1	PO2	PO3	PO4	PO5	PO6	PO7	PO8	PO9	PO10	PO11	PO12
CO1	3	2	–	1	–	1	1	–	–	–	3	–
CO2	3	2	–	1	1	–	2	–	1	2	2	–
CO3	2	2	3	1	2	1	3	2	2	3	2	2
CO4	3	2	3	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	3	3

Course Syllabus




Practical -1

UNIT
1: Introduction to Beneficial Insects

Concept,
definition and classification of beneficial insects; ecological and economic
importance; role in agriculture, horticulture and forestry; ecosystem services
provided by beneficial insects; pollination, biological control, decomposition
and production of commercially valuable products; scope of beneficial insect
farming in India; employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

UNIT
2: Apiculture (Honey Bee Farming)

History and
importance of beekeeping; species of honey bees (

Apisceranaindica,
Apismellifera, Apisdorsata, Apisflorea,

and
stingless bees); morphology and caste system; biology and life cycle of honey
bees; communication through bee dances; bee behaviour and foraging; bee flora
and bee pasturage; bee pollination and crop productivity; artificial bee hive
and beekeeping appliances; seasonal colony management; enemies, pests and
diseases of honey bees; honey extraction, processing, storage and value-added
bee products including honey, beeswax, royal jelly, pollen, propolis and bee
venom; commercial beekeeping practices.

UNIT
3: Sericulture (Silkworm Farming)

Introduction to
sericulture; importance and scope of silk industry; species of silkworms
(Mulberry, Tasar, Eri and Muga); host plants; biology and life cycle of

Bombyx mori

; silkworm rearing
practices; environmental requirements; diseases and pests of silkworm; cocoon
harvesting and processing; silk production technology; entrepreneurship
opportunities in sericulture.

UNIT
4: Lac Culture

Introduction to
lac insects; biology and life cycle of lac insects; important host plants;
inoculation techniques; cultivation practices; harvesting and processing of
lac; lac products and their commercial importance; constraints in lac
cultivation; opportunities for rural entrepreneurship.

UNIT
5: Beneficial Natural Enemies

Introduction to
biological control; classification of natural enemies; predators and
parasitoids of agricultural pests; identification and distinguishing characters
of important predators (ladybird beetles, lacewings, praying mantids, spiders,
predatory bugs) and parasitoids (

Trichogramma

,

Bracon

,

Chelonus

, etc.); principles of
biological pest management; mass multiplication and field release of
parasitoids; role of natural enemies in Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

UNIT
6: Commercial Farming of Other Beneficial Insects

Mealworm
farming; biology and commercial applications of mealworms; black soldier fly
biology, mass production and waste management; insect protein production;
utilization in poultry, aquaculture and livestock feed; circular economy using
insects; emerging trends in insect farming; government schemes, marketing
opportunities and startup models in beneficial insect farming.

References:

Textbooks

1.
Abrol, D. P. (2022).

Bees and Beekeeping

. Scientific
Publishers, Jodhpur.
2.
Mishra, R. C. (2018).

Honey Bees and Their Management

.
ICAR Publication.
3.
Ganga, G. &SulochanaChetty,
J. (2019).

An Introduction to Sericulture

. Oxford & IBH Publishing.
4.
Omkar (Ed.) (2017).

Industrial Entomology

. Springer.
5.
Pedigo, L. P. & Rice, M. E.
(2014).

Entomology and Pest Management

(6th Edition). Pearson.
6.
Chapman, R. F. (2013).

The Insects: Structure and Function

(5th Edition). Cambridge University Press.
7.
Gullan, P. J. & Cranston,
P. S. (2014).

The Insects: An Outline
of Entomology

(5th Edition). Wiley-Blackwell.
8.
ICAR.

Handbook of Agriculture

(Latest
Edition).

Practical Manuals

·
Beneficial Insect Farming
Practical Manual (CUTM 3214).
·
ICAR Practical Manual on
Apiculture.
·
ICAR Practical Manual on
Sericulture.
·
NBAIR Manual on Biological
Control Agents.
Session Plan (Practical)

Unit 1
Session No.	Topics to be Covered	Subtopics	Methodology/Activity
Session 1	Introduction to Beneficial Insects	Concept, definition, classification and ecological importance of beneficial insects; ecosystem services; role in agriculture, horticulture and forestry. Ppt link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UUdn8-_SWO30zcjJ2F7iKbMcUYulRd3Q/view?usp=drive_link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CoJ1cLDJllEd5ViKSIl91WavGbnntaGm/view?usp=drive_link	Practical
Session 2	Beneficial Insects and Ecosystem Services	Pollination, biological control, decomposition, commercially valuable insect products; scope of beneficial insect farming; employment and entrepreneurship opportunities. Ppt link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uiBPlbkddSNiqsYwxWaJhzsMaizzjeO_/view?usp=drive_link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iUCK4sV25OFT3WbcjvTsxhFbFkYg-cY1/view?usp=drive_link	Practical
Unit 2
Session 3	Introduction to Apiculture	History and importance of beekeeping; species of honey bees (Apis cerana indica, A. mellifera, A. dorsata, A. florea and stingless bees). Ppt link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UUdn8-_SWO30zcjJ2F7iKbMcUYulRd3Q/view?usp=drive_link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CoJ1cLDJllEd5ViKSIl91WavGbnntaGm/view?usp=drive_link	Practical
Session 4	Biology of Honey Bees	Morphology, caste system, life cycle, communication through bee dances, bee behaviour and foraging. Ppt link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Tm21NNvdxAJhulVjcOo5xpKzOEOcdF6L/view?usp=drive_link	Practical
Session 5	Bee Management	Bee flora and bee pasturage; bee pollination and crop productivity; artificial bee hives and beekeeping appliances. Ppt link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jzY5uuU8ofi0n7B4VZG7aYZdD_jwg4c5/view?usp=drive_link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CoJ1cLDJllEd5ViKSIl91WavGbnntaGm/view?usp=drive_link
Session 6	Commercial Beekeeping	Seasonal colony management; pests, enemies and diseases of honey bees; honey extraction, processing, storage and value-added products (honey, beeswax, royal jelly, pollen, propolis and bee venom). Ppt link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11LLYBCzhgBKebuJncG67FCyIPKkDu8dO/view?usp=drive_link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iUCK4sV25OFT3WbcjvTsxhFbFkYg-cY1/view?usp=drive_link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CoJ1cLDJllEd5ViKSIl91WavGbnntaGm/view?usp=drive_link
Unit 3
Session 7	Introduction to Sericulture	Importance and scope of sericulture; species of silkworms (Mulberry, Tasar, Eri and Muga); host plants; biology and life cycle of Bombyx mori. Ppt link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XExjZ5NZZX6ud4ZSquzkux_Ee0gPPxef/view?usp=drive_link	Practical
Session 8	Silkworm Rearing and Silk Production	Rearing practices; environmental requirements; pests and diseases; cocoon harvesting, processing, silk production technology and entrepreneurship opportunities. Ppt link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XExjZ5NZZX6ud4ZSquzkux_Ee0gPPxef/view?usp=drive_link	Practical
Unit 4
Session 9	Introduction to Lac Culture	Introduction to lac insects; biology and life cycle; important host plants; inoculation techniques. Ppt link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tn6BZfBQSX78KZ2LeHmxdvtyOC9W-eNc/view?usp=drive_link	Practical
Session 10	Lac Cultivation and Processing	Cultivation practices; harvesting and processing of  lac; lac products; commercial importance; constraints and rural entrepreneurship opportunities. Ppt link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tn6BZfBQSX78KZ2LeHmxdvtyOC9W-eNc/view?usp=drive_link	Practical
Unit 5
Session 11	Beneficial Natural Enemies	Introduction to biological control; classification of natural enemies; predators and parasitoids; principles of biological pest management. Ppt link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yDktJ7LC4Fs2em2xT_kBTuedOtgvrAJr/view?usp=drive_link	Practical
Session 12	Predators of Agricultural Pests	Identification and distinguishing characters of ladybird beetles, lacewings, praying mantids, spiders and predatory bugs. Ppt link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uldLKIl8q_aSB7TsA75QDjPqed-TFf9A/view?usp=drive_link	Practical
Session 13	Parasitoids and IPM	Identification and distinguishing characters of Trichogramma, Bracon, Chelonus and other parasitoids; mass multiplication and field release; role in IPM. Ppt link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uldLKIl8q_aSB7TsA75QDjPqed-TFf9A/view?usp=drive_link	Practical
Unit 6
Session 14	Commercial Farming of Mealworms	Biology of mealworms; commercial applications; insect protein production; utilization in poultry, aquaculture and livestock feed. Ppt link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14gyHeXb1TEzT-l3LwmbItxljTXQV4FKD/view?usp=drive_link	Practical
Session 15	Black Soldier Fly Farming	Biology; mass production; waste management; circular economy using insects. Ppt link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fDgKWeHZQkjw56yDg6QsFtbbeKD9M6Ac/view?usp=drive_link	Practical
Session 16	Emerging Trends in Beneficial Insect Farming	Emerging trends in insect farming; government schemes; marketing opportunities; startup models in beneficial insect farming. Ppt link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r3jvWEgcPTwBL9txUTOLV0IYkFGPhX9J/view?usp=drive_link	Practical