DIFESA FITOSANITARIA

Module APPLIED AGRICULTURAL ENTOMOLOGY AND PARASITOLOGY

1) Knowledge and understanding

The course aims to provide notions on plant pests of ornamental, forestry, and urban interest, with reference to the main taxa of insects, nematodes, mites, and rodents, and on rational strategies for containing their infestations. At the end of the course, students will acquire basic knowledge to distinguish the main animal organisms infesting plants, to evaluate their phytosanitary importance and define eco-sustainable control strategies of their infestations.

2) Applying knowledge and understanding

By acquiring the basic knowledge on the biology of the main insect and animal parasites and the methodologies and control strategies, students will acquire the basics to recognize the main plant pests and eco-sustainable control methods.

3) Making judgements

Through lectures, laboratory exercises, field visits and seminars, students will acquire analytical skills to evaluate the infestations of plant animal parasites, developing autonomy of judgment for the choice of the most effective and sustainable control measures.

4) Communication skills

Through the study of scientific articles and participation in lectures, laboratory exercises, field visits, seminars and above all with the interaction with the teacher and other students during all the didactic activities, students will develop a correct use of technical-scientific terminology in the field of plant entomology and parasitology, as well as the ability to process contents and interact in groups.

5) Learning skills

The course will contribute to the development of analysis skills useful in carrying out study activities, aimed at finding sources of scientific information and the preparation of the final exam paper, also preparing students for the continuation of higher-level university studies.

The didactic objectives will be achieved through lectures (3CFU=21 hours), conducted with the aid of computer-based teaching schemes and also laboratory trainings and technical visits will be carried out (3 CFU = 42 hours). Laboratory activities focuses on topics covered in theoretical lessons and on analysis of case studies. Technical field visits have multidisciplinary interest and aim to foster students learning and to improve their practical skills.

If the course is delivered in blended or remote mode, appropriate adjustments may be made to the above, in order to ensure consistency with the syllabus

Attending the classes is not mandatory, but strongly recommended, as it facilities the learning process and contributes to the achievement of the learning objectives.

Morphology, anatomy and physiology of insects: general characteristics of insects and their applied interest; morphology of head, thorax, abdomen, and their appendages; anatomy and physiology: exoskeleton system; nervous system; sensory system; digestive system; respiratory system; circulatory system; excretory system; secretory system; reproductive system; post-embryonic development; physiology of metamorphosis.

Biological behaviour and relationships with the environment (Insect ecology): specific and group events: dimorphism and polymorphism; aggregation and society; life cycles; biotic potential and environment; population dynamics; biological balances; spread of the species.

Harmfulness of insects: direct and indirect damage; transmission of pathogens; control thresholds.

Control methods of insect pests: agronomic practices; habitat management; physical and mechanical methods; biological control: entomophagous arthropods and entomopathogenic species, biological control methods, microbial and genetic control; chemical control: insecticides and their modes of action; commercial formulations and active ingredients; side effects of pesticide applications; principles of integrated pest management.

Main groups of insect pests: systematics, identification and biology of the main orders and families; Blattoidaea (cockroaches and termites); Orthoptera; Thysanoptera; Hemiptera Auchenorrhyncha (cicadas, leafhoppers, treehoppers, planthoppers, and spittlebugs), Peloridiomorpha, Heteroptera and Sternorrhyncha (whiteflies, psyllids, aphids and scale insects); Lepidoptera Gracillariidae (leaf miners), Tortricidae (leafroller moths), Noctuidae (armyworms moths), Lymantriinae (tussock moths), Notodontidae (cossid millers), Pieridae (pierid butterflies); Coleoptera Scarabaeidae (scarab beetles), Cerambycidae (longhorn beetles), Chrysomelidae (leaf-beetles), Curculilionidae (true weevils and bark beetles); Diptera Agromyzidae (leaf-miner flies); Hymenoptera Argidae (argid sawflies) and Diprionidae (conifer sawflies); damage and phytosanitary importance; control strategies.

Elements of plant parasitology: systematics, biology and recognition; damage and phytosanitary importance; control methods of the main groups of Mites (Acariformes and Parasitiformes) Tarsonemidae (white mites), Tetranichidae (spider mites), Tenupalpidae (false spider mites), Tuckerellidae (peacock mites) and Eriophyidae (gall mites); Nematoda Pratylenchidae, Heteroderidae (cyst nematodes and root-knot nematodes), Longidoridae and Xiphinematidae; Mammals Eulipotyphla (moles), Lagomorpha (hares, rabbits) and Rodentia (mice, voles).

The learning assessment is arranged in a first written test and a final oral interview. The written test is an open-ended test of 3 hours duration and is aimed to assess the learning level gained by the students.

The final exam consists of an individual interview and involves the verification of the specific knowledge and skills acquired overall. For both the tests, the evaluation will be out of thirty and will be based on the relevance of the answers, the quality of the content, the ability to connect different topics and provide practice examples; in addition, the expression property used will be considered. The final score of the course will result from the average scores of the two tests.

The assessment of the preparation will take place based on the following criteria: learning ability and level of deepening, properties of synthesis and presentation, logic skills. 

The marks will be assigned following the scheme below:

Unsuitable
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: significant shortcomings and inaccuracies
Ability to analyze and synthesize: irrelevant with frequent generalizations
Use of references: completely inappropriate
 
18-20
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: very modest with evident imperfections
Analysis and synthesis skills: barely adequate
Use of references: just appropriate
 
21-23
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: knowledge is slightly above the minimum acceptable level
Ability to analyze and synthesize: a fair bility to analyze and synthesize information, presenting arguments in a logical and coherent manner
Using references: use standard references
 
24-26
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: good knowledge
Analysis and synthesis skills: good analytical and synthesis abilities, arguments are presented consistently
Using references: use of standard references

 27-29
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: knowledge more than good
Ability to analyze and synthesize: considerable abilities of analysis and synthesis
Use of references: the topic has been explored in depth
 
30-30 and praise
Knowledge and understanding of the topic: excellent knowledge
Ability to analyze and synthesize: excellent abilities of analysis and synthesis
Use of references: important insights

Learning assessment may also be carried out on-line, should the conditions require it. To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students can also contact the CInAP (Centro per l’integrazione Attiva e Partecipata — Servizi per le Disabilità e/o DSA) through the referring professor within the department, (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).

• Describe the morphological characteristics of insects
• Outline the main types of post-embryonic development in insects and mites
• Outline the main morphological and biological characteristics, the damage caused and the control methods for forest defoliating lepidoptera
• Outline the main morphological and biological characteristics, the damage caused and the control methods for scale insects
• Identify the main microbiological control agents for phytophagous arthropods and nematodes and describe their applications
• What are insect sex pheromones and how can they be applied in plant protection?
• Describe the morphological and biological characteristics, the damage caused by gall-forming nematodes, and integrated control methods
• Describe the means of chemical control and the criteria for their use within eco-sustainable strategies
• Describe the characteristics of phytophagous mites, the damage they cause, and integrated control methods