Mr. Malsawmtluanga Hnialum: Ph. D. Scholar at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India
Title/Designation: Mr.
Name: Malsawmtluanga Hnialum
Current Role/Designation: Ph.D. Scholar
Organization/Institution: Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India
Subject Track: Agriculture
Key Areas of Expertise: Taxonomy, Biodiversity, Plant Protection
Award Categories: Best Innovator Award
Malsawmtluanga Hnialum is a dedicated Ph.D. scholar in Agricultural Entomology at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, with a strong focus on insect biodiversity, taxonomy, and integrated pest management. He has a keen interest in lepidopteran diversity, ecological modeling, and sustainable strategies for managing agricultural pests. Over the years, he has contributed extensively to scientific literature through research articles, book chapters, and books, and has collaborated with multiple national and international researchers. His work bridges classical entomology with modern approaches, such as citizen science and predictive modeling, reflecting a commitment to both academic excellence and practical agricultural solutions.
Online Profiles
Education
He earned a B.Sc. in Agriculture from Central Agricultural University, Imphal (2020), followed by an M.Sc. (Ag) in Agricultural Entomology from Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola (2022). Currently, he is pursuing his Ph.D. at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, specializing in Agricultural Entomology. Throughout his academic journey, he has consistently focused on insect ecology, pest management, and the application of modern tools and techniques to agricultural research.
Research Focus
His doctoral research investigates the diversity, taxonomy, and elevational distribution of Noctuoidea (Lepidoptera) in Mizoram, aiming to provide comprehensive baseline data for biodiversity conservation and pest management. His master’s research focused on the ovicidal efficacy of various insecticides against the cotton pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella), providing insights into sustainable pest control measures. He is also involved in ecological niche modeling, climate-based predictions of pest distribution, and the integration of citizen science data to enhance agricultural decision-making.
Experience
He has participated in numerous national and international seminars, conferences, and workshops, presenting both oral and poster presentations on topics such as pest management, insect taxonomy, and sustainable agricultural practices. He has hands-on experience in laboratory experiments, field surveys, and modern analytical techniques, including molecular data analysis and statistical modeling using R. He has also been involved in mentoring students and contributing to collaborative research projects that address real-world agricultural challenges.
Research Timeline & Activities
Since 2022, his research has progressed from evaluating insecticidal efficacy against pink bollworm eggs to comprehensive biodiversity assessments of moth species in Mizoram. He has systematically studied ecological patterns, altitudinal diversity gradients, and climate impacts on species distribution. Alongside publishing research articles and book chapters, he has contributed to edited volumes, popular science articles, and co-invented an agricultural pollination drone device (2025), demonstrating his ability to translate research into practical agricultural technologies.
Awards & Honors
His contributions have been recognized through prestigious fellowships and awards, including the National Fellowship for Higher Education, the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund Fellowship for doctoral students, and the Young Entomologist Award at the 2nd International Agriculture Conference. He has also been acknowledged for his active participation in workshops, seminars, and conferences that focus on innovative solutions for sustainable agriculture, biodiversity conservation, and pest management.
Top Noted Publication
Among his impactful publications, a key study is: Hnialum, M., Narayanasami, C., Soundararajan, R. P., et al. (2025). Ecological niche modelling and future distribution prediction of Thysanoplusia orichalcea (Fabricius, 1775) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) using citizen science data and CMIP6 projections in India. Oriental Insects, 1-24. This research combines citizen science, predictive modeling, and climate projections to forecast pest distribution, highlighting his expertise in integrating field entomology with modern analytical tools for sustainable pest management.
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Ecological niche modelling and future distribution prediction of Thysanoplusia orichalcea (Fabricius, 1775) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) using citizen science data and CMIP6 projections in India
Oriental Insects, 2025-12-04. DOI: 10.1080/00305316.2025.2593875
Contributors: Malsawmtluanga Hnialum, Chitra Narayanasami, Raga Palanisamy Soundararajan, Santosh Ganapati Patil, Kumaraperumal Ramalingam, Balasubramani Venkatasamy, Dilipsundar Natarajan, Pachuau Lalruatfeli, Bawlchhim Lalmuanzuala, Bimal Kumar Sahoo
This study integrates citizen science observations and climate model projections to predict future distribution patterns of the cabbage looper moth across India, offering valuable insights for pest management under climate change scenarios. -
Taxonomic notes on lichen moths (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Lithosiini) from Mizoram, India
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science, 2025-09-11. DOI: 10.1007/s42690-025-01605-5
Contributors: Malsawmtluanga Hnialum, Chitra Narayanasami, Balasubramani Venkatasamy, Soundararajan Raga Palanisamy, Kumaraperumal Ramalingam, Santosh Ganapati Patil, Amrit Sekhar Mallick, Dilipsundar Natarajan
Provides updated taxonomic descriptions and distribution records of lichen moth species in Mizoram, enhancing regional biodiversity knowledge. -
Enhancing the yield of black gram (Vigna mungo L.) using organic seaweed extract
Plant Science Today, 2025-08-25. DOI: 10.14719/pst.9092
Contributors: Pachuau Lalruatfeli, Ramanujam Krishnan, Ponnusamy Janaki, Hnialum Malsawmtluanga, B Lalmuanzuala, J Lalremliana
Demonstrates the use of organic seaweed extracts to improve growth and yield of black gram, supporting sustainable and organic agricultural practices. -
A review on lepidopteran studies in Mizoram: Overview, present status, hurdles and prospects, along with a compiled checklist of moths
Plant Science Today, 2025-08-12. DOI: 10.14719/pst.8997
Contributors: H Malsawmtluanga, N Chitra, R P Soundararajan, GP Santosh, R Kumaraperumal, V Balasubramani, N Dilipsundar
Comprehensive review of Lepidoptera research in Mizoram, highlighting challenges, research gaps, and providing a detailed checklist of regional moth species. -
Alpha diversity with increasing altitude and Rapoport’s rule adherence: Elevational trends in Noctuoidea (Lepidoptera) of Mizoram, India
Biodiversity Data Journal, 2025-04-25. DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.13.e152977
Contributors: Malsawmtluanga Hnialum, Chitra Narayanasami, Santosh Patil, Soundararajan Palanisamy, Kumaraperumal Ramalingam, Balasubramani Venkatasamy, Amrit Mallick, Dilipsundar Natarajan, Arulkumar Gopal, Lalmuanzuala B
Analyzes elevational diversity patterns in Noctuoidea moths, testing Rapoport’s rule, and providing insights into biodiversity distribution in northeastern India. -
Redescription of Cryptophlebia ombrodelta (Lower, 1898) (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae), an emerging pest of leguminous medicinal plants with new host record from India
Plant Science Today, 2025-01-15. DOI: 10.14719/pst.5914
Contributors: A S Mallick, C Narayanasamy, S R Palanisamy, E Thiyagarajan, D Natarajan, M Hnialum, V Manickam
Provides a redescription and updated host record of a pest species affecting leguminous medicinal plants, highlighting its emerging importance in agriculture.
Strengths for the Best Innovator Award
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Innovative Research in Agricultural Entomology
He has pioneered research combining classical entomology with modern tools such as ecological niche modeling, climate projections (CMIP6), and citizen science to predict pest distributions, enabling proactive and data-driven pest management strategies. -
Contribution to Biodiversity and Taxonomy
His work on the diversity, taxonomy, and elevational trends of moth species in Mizoram has filled critical knowledge gaps in regional Lepidoptera biodiversity, producing checklists, taxonomic notes, and review articles that serve as reference points for future research. -
Integration of Sustainable Agricultural Practices
Through studies like enhancing black gram yield using organic seaweed extracts and evaluating eco-friendly pest management methods, he demonstrates the practical application of research toward sustainable and climate-resilient farming. -
Development of Technological Innovations
He has co-invented an agricultural pollination drone device, showcasing his ability to translate research insights into tangible agricultural technologies that improve productivity and efficiency, reflecting true innovation. -
Recognition and Leadership in Scientific Contributions
His awards, fellowships, and extensive publications in high-impact journals underline his excellence and thought leadership in agricultural sciences. He actively mentors students and collaborates internationally, promoting innovation and knowledge dissemination in the field.