CONTROLLO DEI FITOFAGI NELLE COLTURE PROTETTE

1) Knowledge and understanding: the course aims to provide advanced knowledge on insects and other animal organisms harmful to protected crops, with in-depth analysis of the biology of the most important groups and species from both an evolutionary and applied perspective, their relationships with host plants, and the main defense techniques aimed at limiting their damage. In particular, students will acquire theoretical and practical knowledge on: i) morphology, biology, and physiology of insects and other animal organisms harmful to protected crops; ii) control methods (agronomic, biological, biotechnical, physical, genetic/biotechnology, chemical); iii) examples of integrated pest management (IPM) applications in protected cultivation within the Mediterranean environment.

2) Applying knowledge and understanding:through the acquisition of specific knowledge on identifying the main animal organisms harmful to protected crops, as well as control techniques, students will develop the ability to recognize key pests, their associated damage symptoms, and design sustainable integrated control strategies for agricultural production in protected crops, in compliance with current regulations.

 3) Making judgements: with the support of lectures, laboratory exercises, field/company visits, and seminars, students will gain full autonomy in analyzing insect and other animal pest infestations in protected crops. They will develop independent judgment in selecting the most sustainable control measures, fully respecting the environment and consumers.

 4) Communication skills: by reading scientific articles and participating in supplementary seminars on select topics—and especially through group projects on specific themes with final presentations at the end of the course—students will develop proper technical and scientific terminology in the field of pest control in protected crops. They will also gain the ability to work and communicate effectively in teams, including through simulations of professional workplace interactions.

 5) Learning skills: the course will contribute to the development of skills and analytical autonomy necessary for conducting research activities, particularly focusing on sourcing scientifically valid information, analyzing scientific results, and preparing thesis work, thereby also preparing students for higher-level university studies.

Lectures (21 hours) and practical exercises (laboratory activities, field visits, seminars, group work) (42 hours). Lectures will be delivered using PowerPoint presentations, which will be made available to students on the Studium platform.

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.

To understand the course content, basic knowledge of general and animal biology is important. In particular, a fundamental understanding of general insect traits and hexapod systematics is considered highly important.

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

1. Protected Crops and Pests.

1.1 Microclimatic and structural characteristics of greenhouses.

1.2 Effect of the protected environment on biological cycles and population dynamics of pests.

1.3 Main protected crops in the Mediterranean environment.

2. Nematodes.

2.1 Morphology, bio-ethology, and harmfulness of the main agricultural nematodes with reference to protected crops and relative control measures.

Order Tylenchida: Heteroderidae (Meloidogyne spp.).

Other nematodes of applied interest.

3. Mites.

3.1 Morphology, bio-ethology, and harmfulness of the main agricultural mites with reference to protected crops and relative control measures.

Eriophyids (Aculops lycopersici).

Tetranychids (Tetranychus urticae, Tetranychus evansi).

4. Insects.

4.1 Morphology, bio-ethology, and harmfulness of the main agricultural insects with reference to protected crops and relative control measures.

Order Collembola: Sminthurus viridis.

Order Orthoptera: Mole crickets (Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa).

Order Thysanoptera: Terebrantian thrips (Echinothrips americanus, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis, Frankliniella occidentalis, Thrips parvispinus, Thrips tabaci).

Order Hemiptera: Heteroptera — Pentatomids (Nezara viridula, Halyomorpha halys), Mirids (Nesidiocoris tenuis); Sternorrhyncha Homoptera — Aleyrodoidea (Bemisia tabaci, Trialeurodes vaporariorum), Aphidoidea (Aphis fabae, Aphis gossypii, Myzus persicae, Macrosiphum euphorbiae, Aulacorthum solani), and Coccoidea (Phenacoccus solani, Phenacoccus solenopsis).

Order Lepidoptera: Gelechiids (Tuta absoluta), Noctuids (Agrotis ipsilon, Agrotis segetum, Chrysodeixis chalcites, Helicoverpa armigera, Spodoptera exigua, Spodoptera frugiperda, Spodoptera littoralis).

Order Diptera: Nematocera — Sciarids; Brachycera — Drosophilidae (Drosophila suzukii), Agromyzids (Liriomyza trifolii, Liriomyza huidobrensis, Liriomyza bryoniae).

Order Coleoptera: Polyphaga — Elaterids (Agriotes spp.), Chrysomelids (Leptinotarsa decemlineata), Curculionids (Otiorhynchus cribricollis).

5. Other Animal Pests.

5.1 Outlines of morphology, bio-ethology, and harmfulness of the main gastropod mollusks and rodents of agricultural interest with reference to protected crops and relative control measures.

Gastropod Mollusks: Helicidae, Limacidae.

Rodents: Cricetidae, Muridae.

6. Principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Applied to Protected Crops.

6.1 Outlines of monitoring techniques, sampling, action thresholds, current regulations on integrated pest management, and management of pest resistance to plant protection products.

1. Tremblay E., 1985-2000. Entomologia applicata, voll. 1-7. Liguori Editore, Napoli.

2. Masutti L., Zangheri S., 2001, Entomologia Generale e Applicata, Cedam, Padova

3. Pennacchio F. (ed.), 2014 – Gli insetti e il loro controllo. Liguori Editore.

Additional course materials for students, which will be made available to them, include:

4. PowerPoint presentations of the lectures, provided by the instructor via the Studium platform.

5. Scientific articles and other course materials provided by the instructor via the Studium platform, including any links and/or popular science articles for further reading.

During the course, at the end of the discussion of each topic or groups of related topics, a common discussion on the topic will be organized. At the end of the course, groups of 3-4 students will analyse a case study, agreed with the teacher and published in a scientific journal, and will make a presentation in the classroom lasting 30-45 minutes. A final oral interview will complete the assessment of the individual students, allowing to verify their degree of learning.

As a summary of the above activities, the assessment of the preparation of individual students will take place on the basis of the following criteria: learning ability and level of depth of the topics covered, properties of synthesis and presentation, reasoning skills. The marks attributed will follow the following scheme:

Unsuitable

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Important shortcomings. Significant inaccuracies.

Ability to analyze and synthesize: Irrelevant. Frequent generalizations. Inability to synthesize.

Use of references: Completely inappropriate.

18-20

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: At the threshold level. Obvious imperfections.

Analysis and synthesis skills: Just enough skills.

Use of references: As appropriate.

21-23

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Routine knowledge.

Analysis and synthesis skills: Correct analysis and synthesis, with logical and coherent argumentation skills.

Use of references: Use of standard references.

24-26

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Good.

Ability to analyze and synthesize: Good, with arguments expressed consistently.

Use of references: Use of standard references.

27-29

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: More than good.

Ability to analyze and synthesize: Remarkable.

Use of references: In-depth.

30-30L

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Excellent.

Ability to analyze and synthesize: Remarkable.

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 main microclimatic and structural characteristics of greenhouses.

Describe the main protected crops in the Mediterranean environment.

Information on the main species of nematodes belonging to the genus Meloidogyne spp.

General aspects of Eriophyid mites and insights into the main species of interest for protected crops.

General aspects of Tetranychid mites and information on the main species of interest for protected crops.

Morphology, bio-ecology, damage, and control of Tetranychus urticae.

Morphology, bio-ecology, damage, and outlines of control of Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa.

Morphology, bio-ecology, damage, and outlines of control of Frankliniella occidentalis.

Information on the morphology, biology, and damage caused by the main insects belonging to the family Thripidae.

Describe key information regarding the morphology, biology, damage, and control of Bemisia tabaci.

Describe key information regarding the morphology, biology, damage, and control of Aphis gossypii.

Describe the main characteristics of the morphology, biology, damage, and control of Tuta absoluta.

Describe the main characteristics of the morphology, biology, damage, and control of Spodoptera littoralis.

Describe the main characteristics of the morphology, biology, damage, and control of Liriomyza trifolii.

Describe the main characteristics of the morphology, biology, damage, and control of Agriotes spp.

Describe the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in light of current regulations.

Describe the management of pest resistance to plant protection products.