PROTEZIONE DEGLI AGROSISTEMI MEDITERRANEI DAI FITOFAGI

Module CONTROLLO INTEGRATO DEGLI ARTROPODI FITOFAGI

1) Knowledge and understanding: The course aims at providing advanced knowledge on the ecological role and harmfulness of key insect pests of the major Mediterranean crops. The main sustainable integrated management strategies specific for each key insect pest of the Mediterranean environment are also provided.

2) Applying knowledge and understanding: Students will be able to recognize the key insect pest and their damage, as well as to develop specific integrated and sustainable control strategies against them.

3) Making judgements: With the help of lectures, laboratory training, field visits and seminars, students will acquire full autonomy in the analysis of insect infestations in the agricultural field, developing the capacity to judgment for the choice of the most suitable and modern control measures.

4) Communication skills: Through the reading of scientific articles and participation in seminars to complete some topics, but above all through the realization, at the end of the course, of thematic group studies with consequent presentation of the relative results, students will develop a correct technical-scientific terminology in the field of entomological biotechnologies as well as the ability to work and communicate in groups, also through the simulation of interactions in the workplace.

5) Learning skills: The course will contribute to the development of skills and autonomy of analysis useful for the development of skills in carrying out research activities, especially aimed at finding scientifically valid sources of information, the analysis of scientific results and the preparation of the thesis, also preparing students for the continuation of higher level university studies.

The course will be delivered by a 1/3 of lectures and 2/3 of laboratory group activities, bibliographic searches, scientific paper discussions and seminars.

 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

Concepts and applications of specific integrated pest management strategies, with focus on the control of key arthropod pests of the main Mediterranean agro-ecosystems:

(1) Citrus (Pezothrips kellyanus, Aleurothrixus floccosus, Aphis spiraecola, Toxoptera aurantii, A. gossypii, Planococcus citri, Aonidiella aurantii, Phyllocnistis citrella, Ceratitis capitata);

(2) Olive (Saissetia oleae, Prays oleae, Zeuzera pyrina, Bactrocera oleae);

(3) Grape (Frankliniella occidentalis; Leafhoppers; Planococcus ficus; Lobesia botrana);

(4) Pome and stone fruits (Disaphys plantaginea, Cacopsylla pyri, Quadraspidiotus perniciosus, Archips rosanus, Cydia pomonella, Yponomeuta malinellus, Cossus cossus, Zeuzera pyrina, Stone fruit aphids, Frankliniella occidentalis, Quadraspidiotus perniciosus, Pseudaulacaspis pentagona, Cydia molesta,Anarsia lineatella, Capnodis tenebrionis, Rhagoletis cerasi, Ceratitis capitata, Drosophila suzukii);

(5) Protected vegetables (Aphids, Frankliniella occidentalis; Trialeurodes vaporariorium; Bemisia tabaci; Spodoptera littoralis; Tuta absoluta);

Moreover, (6) a part of the course will be focused on exotic invasive insect pests at high risk of introduction.

1. Tremblay E. Entomologia applicata. Vol. 1, 2(1, 2), 3(1, 2, 3), 4(1). Liguori ed.

2. Hulme PE (2009) Handbook of alien species in Europe (Vol. 569). Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer.

3. Baccetti B. (2000) Manuale di zoologia agraria. Antonio Delfino Editore

Further teaching materials for students, which will be made available to them, consist of:

• Copies of the PowerPoint presentations given during lectures and seminars.
• Scientific articles and other teaching materials provided by the lecturer, including any links and/or popular science articles for reference.

The exam is composed by two main steps: an intermediate exam during the class period and another after the class end. The first is represented by a talk, by a single student or by a small group of students, on a selected topic previously agreed with the professor. The final exam is an individual oral interview in which the student will discuss (i) about one of the scientific paper chosen by the student among those discussed during classes, (ii) about the integrated insect pest control strategies in an agroecosystem selected by the student, and then (iii) reply to two specific questions asked by the professor.

Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, should the conditions require it.

For each evaluation step, the student will be evaluated according to five criteria:

- relevance of the answers according to the questions asked

- quality of answer content

- ability to link with other topics of the study program

- ability to report examples

- technical language quality and overall expressive capacity

The final score, that will be out of thirty, of the course will result from the medium scores of the two

tests.

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: 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 ability 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 e 30 e lode

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).

(i) Select and describe the state of the art, the aim, the main methods and results, as well as the conclusions of one of the scientific papers discussed during classes.

(ii) Select and describe the biology, ecology and integrated pest control strategies implemented against the key pests of one of the agro-ecosystems discussed during classes.

(iiia) Describe the biology, ecology and integrated pest control strategies implemented against the key pests of citrus.

(iiib) Describe the biology, ecology and integrated pest control strategies implemented against key leafminer pests

(iiia) Describe the biology, ecology and integrated pest control strategies implemented against the key pests of fruit crops.

(iiib) Describe the biology, ecology and integrated pest control strategies implemented against key scale insect pests.

(iiia) Describe the biology, ecology and integrated pest control strategies implemented against the key pests of protected vegetable crops.

(iiib) Describe the biology, ecology and integrated pest control strategies implemented against key aphid pests.