GRAPE ENTOMOLOGYModule ARTHROPOD PEST MANAGEMENT IN VINEYARDS
Academic Year 2026/2027 - Teacher: POMPEO SUMAExpected Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: knowledge of pest control strategies, with particular reference to alternatives to the use of chemicals, such as preventive control based on ecological principles and natural (biological and integrated) control.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: Through acquiring knowledge of the most appropriate control strategies for the various species of arthropods infesting vineyards, students will gain the necessary understanding to identify the problems associated with them
Independence of judgement: Through lectures, laboratory practicals, farm visits and seminars, students will develop full independence of judgement in selecting the most appropriate control measures to implement in order to manage populations of harmful arthropods in vineyards.
Communication skills: Students will be able to communicate to others, using appropriate technical language, the measures to be taken in vineyards to limit the damage caused by vine-feeding species.
Learning ability: The aim of the assessment is to evaluate students’ ability to tackle problems relating to the need to research new techniques and methodological approaches to be adopted in order to safeguard wine production
Course Structure
The course will consist of classroom-based lectures supplemented by laboratory and field work and educational visits. In-depth seminars will also be organised.
If the course is delivered in blended or remote mode, appropriate adjustments may be made to the above to ensure consistency with the syllabus
Required Prerequisites
Attendance of Lessons
Attending the classes is not mandatory, but strongly recommended, as it facilities the learning process and contributes to the achievement of the learning objectives.
Detailed Course Content
Arthropods on grapes: Hemiptera, Thysanoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, and mites. For each species, the following will be covered: identification, distribution, life cycle and damage.
The principles of pest management: integrated pest management and economic thresholds; sampling and monitoring of infestations in vineyards and their management through the use of semiochemicals; practical examples of biological control in vineyards (classical, augmentative and conservative biological control); microbiological control; chemical control and classification of insecticides according to their mode of action; adverse effects of insecticides on humans and the environment; regulatory measures and regulations on integrated control in vineyards with reference to arthropods.
Textbook Information
2. Baccetti B., Barbagallo S., Süss L., Tremblay E. 2000. Manuale di zoologia agraria. Antonio Delfino Editore, Roma.
4 Gullan, P. J. The insects : an outline of entomology / P.J. Gullan and P.S. Cranston ; with illustrations by Karina H. McInnes. – Fifth edition
Lecture slides and other materials, available to students on the STUDIUM platform
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pest arthropods: Hemiptera (Scaphoideus titanus, Hyalestes obsoletus, Empoasca vitis, Jacobiasca lybica, Zygina rhamni, Metcalfa pruinosa, Viteus vitifoliae, Planococcus ficus, Pseudococcus comstocki, Halyomorpha halys) | Texts 1, 4 course materials |
| 2 | Pest arthropods: Thrips (Drepanothrips reuteri, Frankliniella occidentalis) | Texts 1, 4 course materials |
| 3 | Pest arthropods: Lepidoptera (Lobesia botrana, Eupoecilia ambiguella, Cryptoblabes gnidiella, Theresimima amplelophaga) | Texts 1, 4 course materials |
| 4 | Pest arthropods: Coleoptera (Sinoxylon perforans, S. sexdentatum, Byctiscus betulae, Popillia japonica, Harmonia axyridis) | Texts 1, 4 course materials |
| 5 | Pest arthropods: Diptera (Drosophila suzukii) and Hymenoptera Vespidae | Texts 1, 4course materials |
| 6 | Pest arthropods: Mites (Panonychus ulmi, Eotetranychus carpini, Calomerus vitis, Calepitrimerus vitis) | Texts 1, 4 course materials |
| 7 | Pest management techniques: use of biological, biotechnological and chemical methods | Texts 1, 2 and 4 course materials |
| 8 | Legislation: decrees on compulsory control measures and regulations on integrated production | Texts 1 course materials |
Learning Assessment
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
Use of semiochemicals for the management of arthropod pests
Damage caused by leafhoppers on vines
Life cycle of mealybug species on grapes
Control of the grape berry moth
Biological control agents suitable for use in vineyards