Applied Entomology and Plant Pathology

Module Entomology and Agricultural Parasitology

1) Knowledge and understanding. The student will be provided with the necessary information to express themselves using correct entomological terminology concerning the main groups of hexapods of agricultural interest, as well as the control methods for the principal phytophagous pests that can infest crops.

2) Applying knowledge and understanding. The effective application of modern control strategies requires a deep understanding of the biology and physiology of animal organisms harmful to agricultural and food production, and their interactions with plants and the environment.

3) Autonomy of Judgment. With the aid of lectures and laboratory practical’s, students will acquire the necessary knowledge to develop their autonomy in the objective analysis of infestations, identifying the potential causes and choosing the most suitable containment measure.

4) Communication skills. Students will develop correct technical-scientific terminology in the fields of General Entomology and Parasitology and phytosanitary disciplines, enhancing their capability to adapt and communicate in various agronomic and social contexts, as well as within working groups.

5) Learning capacity. The course will contribute to developing the skill to acquire new knowledge, skills, and behaviours effectively and persistently over time. This awareness will improve the professional capabilities needed to address field problems, effectively manage information, and select the most appropriate defence strategies in various relevant 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.

To better understand the contents of the course, it would be beneficial to possess basic knowledge of animal biology.

Not obligatory, although recommended to facilitate the learning process and assessment of the student's preparation.

General characteristics of Hexapods

General characteristics of hexapods and their applied importance.

Morphology. Head, thorax, abdomen, and appendages.

Anatomy. Integumentary system, nervous system, sensory system, digestive system, respiratory system, circulatory system, excretory system, secretory system, reproductive system.

Biology. Reproduction, communication, post-embryonic development, metamorphosis, polymorphism, aggregation, and insect societies.

Ecology. Biological cycles, biotic potential and environment, population epidemiology, feeding regimes (diets), plant-insect interactions, species distribution, and biodiversity.

2. Hexapods in Agriculture

Direct and indirect damage

Transmission of plant pathogens

Sampling methods

Economic injury thresholds

Recognition of symptoms

Agronomic or cultural control methods

Physical and mechanical control methods

Biotechnical methods: Semiochemicals

Biological and microbiological control methods

Chemical control methods

Biotechnologies in Entomology

Principles of guided and integrated control.

3. Entomological Systematics and Main Orders of Hexapods of Agricultural Interest

Phylogeny, taxonomy and nomenclature

1. Collembola
2. Odonata
3. Dermaptera
4. Orthoptera
5. Blattodea
6. Thysanoptera
7. Hemiptera
8. Psocodea
9. Hymenoptera
10. Coleoptera
11. Diptera
12. Lepidoptera

4. Other Groups of Animal Organisms Harmful to Plants

Nematodes

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

Mites (Acari)

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

Gastropods

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

Rodents

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

1. Baccetti B., Barbagallo S., Süss L. & Tremblay E., 2000. Manuale di Zoologia Agraria. Delfino Editore, Roma.

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.

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

Tutte le slides proiettate a lezione, nonché ulteriori note didattiche ed eventuale materiale bibliografico di approfondimento, saranno fornite dal docente attraverso la piattaforma web "Studium".

Throughout the course, several intermediate assessments (both in written and oral form) will make it possible to verify the progress made by both the individual students and the course as a whole. A final oral examination will complete the assessment of individual students, allowing verification of their level of learning.

As a summary of the activities described above, the evaluation of the preparation of individual students will be based on the following criteria: capacity for learning and level of depth of the topics covered, ability to synthesise and present information, and reasoning skills. The assigned final grade will follow the scheme below:

Not eligible

Important shortcomings, significant inaccuracies.

Frequent generalisations and insufficient ability to summarise.

Completely inappropriate.

18-20

At a threshold level, evident imperfections.

Barely sufficient ability.

Barely appropriate.

21-23

Sufficient knowledge.

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

Use of standard references.

24-26

Fair/Good knowledge.

Good skills, with coherently expressed arguments.

Use of above-standard references.

27-29

Very good knowledge.

Relevant skills.

In-depth use of references.

30-30L (Cum Laude)

Excellent knowledge.

Outstanding skills.

Important in-depth use of references (significant additional study).

- Systematic classification of insects and their relationship with other groups of arthropods.

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

- Briefly describe the insect thorax and its appendages.

- Briefly 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.

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

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

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

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

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

- Briefly 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).