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, et al. 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.
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
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