EDIBLE INSECTS, MYCOTOXINS AND FOOD PEST CONTROL

Module CONTROL STRATEGIES OF STORED FOOD PESTS

1. Knowledge and understanding. The course aims to provide students with those necessary details, in terms of methods of control of the main pests of food, useful for representing and understanding the management of the business issue.

2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding. The knowledge gained during this course will lay the basis for developing the students' skills and for the definition of the most appropriate management and control programs related with pest infestations.

3. Making judgements: With the help of lectures, laboratory exercises, field visits and seminars, students will acquire full autonomy in the analysis of storie food pests  infestations, developing autonomy of judgment for the choice of the most suitable and modern control measures.

4. Communication skills. Based on the acquired knowledge, students can develop communication and interpersonal skills for business counseling and to perform technical and scientific valuations. 

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 experimental thesis.

Lectures and exercises (classroom and company), also on line.

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

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. Guerra P., Suss L.Gli infestanti nelle industrie alimentari. La gestione sulle derrate e nell'industria. Riconoscimento, modalità di prevenzione, monitoraggio e lotta, Avenue media, 2021

2.. Belcari A., Macchione P., Gianchecchi U., Bacciotti D., Nencetti A., Rossi F., Gestione integrata degli animali infestanti nelle industrie alimentari. Firenze University Press, 2012 - 174 pp.

3. Trematerra P. & Süss L., Prontuario di entomologia merceologica e urbana. Aracne edit. 2007, 154 pp.

4. D.W. Hagstrum, B. Subramanyam, Fundamentals of Stored-Product Entomology. Ed. AACC Intern. 323 pp.

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 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).

1. L’importanza degli studi entomologici nel settore delle derrate alimentari

2. Caratteristiche bioetologiche che rendono un organismo animale un fattore di dannosità agli alimenti

3. Classificazione degli infestanti in rapporto alle derrate alimentari infestate

4. Tecniche di gestione delle infestazioni animali a basso impatto ecologico

5. Importanza dell’IPM nell’ambito dei programmi di gestione delle infestazioni animali nelle industrie alimentari.