ENTOMOLOGIA E PATOLOGIA VEGETALE

Module ENTOMOLOGIA GENERALE

1) Knowledge and understanding

Students will acquire the necessary knowledge to express themselves using correct entomological terminology regarding the main groups of animal organisms of agricultural interest, as well as the management strategies for the primary pests that can infest agricultural crops.

 

2) Applying knowledge and understanding

The application of modern control strategies requires a deep understanding of the biology and physiology of animal pests harmful to agricultural production, as well as their interactions with plants and the environment.

 

3) Making judgements

Lectures and laboratory practicals aim to provide students with the knowledge required to develop the ability to independently and objectively analyze infestations, identifying potential causes and selecting the most appropriate control measures.

 

4) Communication skills

Students are expected to develop appropriate technical and scientific terminology in the fields of General Agricultural Entomology and Parasitology, as well as to enhance their adaptability and communication skills across various social contexts and teamwork environments.

 

5) Learning skills

The course aims to facilitate the effective and long-lasting acquisition of new knowledge, skills, and behaviors, thereby improving the professional capabilities needed to tackle field problems, manage information efficiently, and select the most suitable crop protection strategies in various operational contexts.

The course is held through 21 hours of frontal lectures and 42 hours of practical exercises (including field work where possible).

The course should be delivered in a blended or remote learning format. The necessary variations may be introduced with respect to what has been previously stated, to adhere to the planned program as reported in the syllabus.

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students may request a personal consultation to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on the educational objectives and specific needs. It is also possible to contact the CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Inclusion - Services for Disabilities and/or SLDs) reference lecturer within the Department.

In order to better understand the course topics, it is useful to have a basic understanding of the main processes in animal biology and zoology

Insects

General Characteristics & Applied Importance

Overview and economic relevance.

Morphology

Head, thorax, abdomen, and appendages.

Anatomy

Integumentary, nervous, sensory, digestive, respiratory, circulatory, excretory, secretory, and reproductive systems.

Biology

Modes of reproduction, communication, post-embryonic development, metamorphosis, polymorphism, insect aggregation, and social behavior.

Ecology

Life cycles, biotic potential and environment, population epidemiology, diets, plant-insect interactions, species dispersal, and biodiversity.

 

Insects in Agriculture

When and Why to Control Hexapods

Direct and Indirect Damage

Transmission of Phytopathogens

Sampling Methods

Economic Injury Levels (EIL) & Action Thresholds

Symptom Identification

Control Methods

Agronomic/cultural, physical and mechanical, biotechnical, biological and microbiological, and chemical.

Principles of Supervised and Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Biotechnology in Entomology

 

Entomological Systematics & Main Orders of Agricultural Interest

Phylogeny, Systematics, and Nomenclature

Key Orders

Collembola, Odonata, Dermaptera, Orthoptera, Blattodea, Thysanoptera, Hemiptera, Psocodea, Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Lepidoptera.

 

Other Animal Pests Harmful to Crops

Nematodes

Systematic classification, morphology, anatomy, biology, damage, economic importance, and outline of main control methods.

Mites (Acari)

Systematic classification, morphology, anatomy, biology, damage, economic importance, and control methods.

Gastropods

Systematic classification, morphology, anatomy, biology, damage, economic importance, and control methods.

Rodents

Systematic classification, morphology, anatomy, biology, damage, economic importance, and control methods.

1. Baccetti B., Barbagallo S., Süss L. & Tremblay E., 2000. Manuale di Zoologia Agraria. Delfino Editore, Roma.  ISBN 88-7287-222-7

2. Minelli A., Bologna M.A. (a cura di), 2023. Sistematica ed evoluzione degli esapodi. Entomologia – Collana dell’Accademia Nazionale Italiana di Entomologia, Liguori Editore, Napoli. ISBN 9788820770945

3. Tremblay E., 1985-2000. Entomologia applicata, vol. 1-7. Liguori Editore, Napoli. ISBN 8820706814

Copies of the slides presented during lectures, teaching notes and any supplementary scientific articles will be provided by the lecturer via the ‘Studium’ web platform.

During the course, a number of interim tests (written and/or oral) will be set to assess the skills acquired by students, as well as the interest the subject has aroused in them. A final oral examination will complete the evaluation of what each student has learnt. To summarise the activities outlined above, the preparation of each student will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria: learning ability, depth of understanding of the topics covered, ability to summarise and present information, and reasoning skills. Marks will be awarded according to the following scale:

Not eligible

Significant shortcomings and inaccuracies.

Irrilevant with frequent generalisations 

Completely inappropriate.

18-20

Very modest with evident imperfections

Barely adequate

Just appropriate

21-23

Knowledge is slightly above the minimum acceptable level

A fair ability to analyze and synthesize information, presenting arguments in a logical and coherent manner

Use of standard references

24-26

Good knowledge.

Good analytical and synthesis abilities, arguments are presented consistently

Use of above-standard references

27-29

Knowledge more than good

Considerable abilities of analysis and synthesis

The topic has been explored in depth

30-30L (Cum Laude)

Excellent knowledge

Excellent abilities of analysis and synthesis

Important insights

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).

- Systematic classification of insects.

- Describe the insect head and its appendages (antennae and mouthparts, the latter with reference to the chewing apparatus).

- Describe the insect thorax and its appendages.

- Describe the insect abdomen and its appendages (gonapophyses).

- Exoskeleton and integument of insects: structure and functions.

- Locomotor organs (wings and legs) of insects: form, structure, and functional modifications.

- Describe, possibly with the aid of a drawing, the chewing mouthparts (ectognathous and entognathous) of insects.

- Describe, possibly with the aid of a drawing, the asymmetrical piercing-sucking mouthpart of Thysanoptera (Thrips).

- Describe, possibly with the aid of a drawing, the piercing-sucking mouthpart of Hemiptera (Bugs).

- Describe, possibly with the aid of a drawing, the mouthparts of Lepidoptera (larvae and adults).

- Describe, possibly with the aid of a drawing, the lapping-sucking mouthpart of Muscid Diptera (House Flies).

- Describe, possibly with the aid of a drawing, the piercing-sucking mouthpart of Culicid Diptera (Mosquitoes).

- The insect nervous system: anatomy and physiology (with specific mention of nerve impulse transmission mechanisms).

- The insect digestive system: anatomy and physiology.

-The insect circulatory system: anatomy and physiology.

- The insect respiratory system: anatomy and physiology.

- The insect excretory system: anatomy and physiology.

- The insect secretory system: anatomy and physiology (with particular reference to endocrine secretion and the hormones involved in post-embryonic development).

- The insect reproductive system: anatomy and physiology.

- Complete and incomplete metamorphosis in insects: significance and examples.

- The post-embryonic development of insects: physiology and hormones involved.

- Types of post-embryonic development in insects: ametaboly, heterometaboly, neometaboly, holometaboly, and catametaboly.

- The moulting of insects and its mechanisms.

- The larvae of holometabolous insects and their classification.

- The pupae of holometabolous insects and their classification.

- Vector insects and mechanisms of pathogen transmission.

- Entomopathogenic viruses: biological characteristics, categories, and potential use for controlling harmful insects.

- Entomopathogenic fungi: biological characteristics, categories, and potential use for controlling harmful insects.

- Entomopathogenic bacteria: biological characteristics, categories, and potential use for controlling harmful insects.

- Entomophagous insects: behaviours and applied possibilities for controlling harmful insects.

- The use of pheromones for the biotechnical control of harmful insects: practical applications of aggregation, dispersal, and sexual pheromones.

- Physical and mechanical control methods for harmful insects.

- Commercial formulations of insecticides and their composition.

- Organic insecticides of plant origin: categories and main characteristics.

- Organic insecticides of mineral origin: categories and main characteristics.

- Organic insecticides derived from microorganisms: characteristics and potential use.

- Synthetic organic insecticides: main chemical families and their characteristics.

- Secondary effects of insecticides and methods to contain them.

- Morpho-biological characteristics and systematic classification of Collembola and Odonata.

- Morpho-biological characteristics and systematic classification of Blattodea (cockroaches).

- Morpho-biological characteristics and systematic classification of Dermaptera (earwigs) and Orthoptera (grasshoppers and crickets).

- Morpho-biological characteristics and systematic classification of Thysanoptera (thrips).

- Morpho-biological characteristics and systematic classification of Hemiptera (true Bugs, cicadas, Aphids, etc.), with specific reference to Heteroptera and Homoptera - Auchenorrhyncha (cicadas, leafhoppers).

Morpho-biological characteristics and systematic classification of Hemiptera, with specific reference to Homoptera Sternorrhyncha Psylloidea (psyllids) and Aleyrodoidea (whiteflies).

Morpho-biological characteristics and systematic classification of Hemiptera, with specific reference to Homoptera Sternorrhyncha Aphidoidea (aphids).

Morpho-biological characteristics and systematic classification of Hemiptera, with specific reference to Homoptera Sternorrhyncha Coccoidea (scale insects).

Morpho-biological characteristics and systematic classification of Hymenoptera (ants, bees, wasps).

Morpho-biological characteristics and systematic classification of Coleoptera (beetles).

Morpho-biological characteristics and systematic classification of Diptera (flies).

Morpho-biological characteristics and systematic classification of Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies).