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Antonio Gugliuzzo

PhD
PhD in Agricultural, Food and Environmental Science - XXXV Cycle
Tutor: Antonio Biondi
Contacts

Office: Lotta Biologica laboratory (First floor) – Office # 316 (Third floor), Via Santa Sofia, 100.
Email: antonio.gugliuzzo@phd.unict.it
Phone: 095 7147357

Research and Professional experience

  • 10/2019-10/2022: PhD course in Agricultural, Food and Environmental Science, University of Catania. Research project: “Development of new tools for sustainable management of non-native Ambrosia Beetles”. Specific objectives of the PhD project aimed at the evaluation of: 1) Xylosandrus mass rearing protocols in laboratory conditions considering hygro-thermal performances and different development substrates; 2) Lethal and sublethal effects of biopesticides compared to conventional synthetic insecticides against Xylosandrus ambrosia beetles; 3) Potential role of mycoparasitic fungi and antagonistic bacteria towards beetles and their fungal symbionts; 4) Bioactivity of essential oils towards beetles and the potential impact against fungal symbionts; 5) Ambrosia beetle host range among Mediterranean wild and cultivated plant species/varieties; 6) Potential for Push & pull strategies against Xylosandrus ambrosia beetles.
  • 04/2021-09/2021: DAAD Research Grant (German Academic Exchange Service), Albert-Ludwigs University of Freiburg (Germany), Forest Entomology and Protection. Research project: "Multi-mutualistic interactions for optimized management of exotic fungus-farming beetles", entirely financed from federal public funds. Under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Peter Biedermann, Chair of Forest Entomology and Protection.
  • 05/2018–05/2019: Research collaborator - University of Catania. Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Di3A). Section of Applied Entomology. Field and laboratory studies to evaluate biology, control strategies and biological activity of volatile substances against Xylosandrus compactus within the "Phytosanitary defence against the scolityd beetle Xylosandrus compactus on Carob tree " project, funded by Sicilian Region.
  • 12/2017–02/2018: Research collaborator - University of Catania. Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Di3A). Section of Applied Entomology. Development of new experimental protocols for rearing and exposure to biocides of the pest Drosophila suzukii and its parasitoid Trichopria drosophilae within the "Target and non-target entomotoxicity of bioinsectide nanoformulations" project, funded by MIUR.
  • 11/2018: Visiting Research Assistant - Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economy Analysis - Research Centre for Agrobiology and Pedology (Florence) (CRA CRA-ABP). Collaboration on research topics concerning Coleoptera Scolytinae infesting plants of agricultural and forest interest. Under the supervision of Dr. Fabrizio Pennacchio, Senior Researcher of the Center.

Education and Qualifications

  • 2014-2017: MSc in Agricultural Sciences and Technologies LM69 (magna cum laude), speciality on Phytosanitary Technologies - University of Catania, Catania (Italy). Experimental thesis: "Olfactory response of the zoophytophagous mirid Nesidiocoris tenuis to tomato and alternative host plants".
  • 2010-2014: BSc in Agricultural Sciences and Technologies L25 (magna cum laude) - University of Catania, Catania (Italy). Thesis: "A new invasive species on strawberry: Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura)".
  • 2009: Scientific High School Graduation, Liceo Scientifico "Ven. Ignazio Capizzi", Bronte (Italy)
  • Qualification as Agronomist and Forestry Doctor. 2020. Board of Agronomists and Foresters of Catania (Italy).
  • Qualification for the activity of Phytosanitary Advisor. 2017. Regional Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Mediterranean Fisheries, 4 Phytosanitary Service, Sicilian Region (Italy).

PhD in Agricultural, Food and Environmental Science at the University of Catania (November 2022). My research activities are focused on Applied Entomology and Biological Pest Control, with particular interest in invasive insect pests and their natural enemies in the Mediterranean environment. PhD Research Project: “Development of new tools for sustainable management of non-native Ambrosia Beetles”. Specific objectives of the PhD project aimed at evaluating: 1) Xylosandrus mass rearing protocols in laboratory conditions considering hygro-thermal performances and different development substrates; 2) Lethal and sublethal effects of biopesticides compared to conventional synthetic insecticides against Xylosandrus ambrosia beetles; 3) Potential role of mycoparasitic fungi and antagonistic bacteria towards beetles and their fungal symbionts; 4) Bioactivity of essential oils towards beetles and the potential impact against fungal symbionts; 5) Ambrosia beetle host range among Mediterranean wild and cultivated plant species/varieties; 6) Potential for Push & pull strategies against Xylosandrus ambrosia beetles.

Published in peer refereed ISI journals

  • 15. Gugliuzzo A., Kreuzwieser J., Ranger C.M., Tropea Garzia G., Biondi A., Biedermann P.H.W. (2023). Volatiles of fungal cultivars act as cues for host-selection in the fungus-farming ambrosia beetle Xylosandrus germanus. Frontiers in Microbiology. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1151078. 
  • 14. Gugliuzzo A., Francardi V., Simoni S., Roversi P.F., Ferrati M., Spinozzi E., Perinelli D.R., Bonacucina G., Maggi F., Tortorici S., Tropea Garzia G., Biondi A., Rizzo R. (2023). Role of plant essential oil nanoemulsions on host colonization by the invasive ambrosia beetle Xylosandrus compactus. Industrial Crops and Products, 195, 116437.
  • 13. Gugliuzzo, A., Giuliano, G., Rizzo, R., Tropea Garzia, G., Biondi, A. (2023). Lethal and sublethal effects of synthetic and bioinsecticides toward the invasive ambrosia beetle Xylosandrus compactus. Pest Management Science. doi: 10.1002/ps.7365.
  • 12. Ricupero, M., Cammarata, S., Gugliuzzo, A., Biondi, A., Zappalà, L., Siscaro, G. (2022). The parasitic complex of Halyomorpha halys: preliminary data on adaptation of native egg parasitoids to the invasive host. Acta Horticulturae. doi: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2022.1354.28
  • 11. Giannetti, D., Schifani, E., Gugliuzzo, A., Zappalà, L., Biondi, A., & Grasso, D. A. (2022). Native European ants can discourage host colonization and reduce reproductive success of the invasive ambrosia beetle Xylosandrus compactus. Biological Control, 174, 105032.
  • 10. Passos, L.C., Ricupero, M., Gugliuzzo, A., Soares, M.A., Desneux, N., Campolo, O., Carvalho G.A., Biondi A., Zappalá, L. (2022). Sublethal effects of plant essential oils toward the zoophytophagous mirid Nesidiocoris tenuis. Journal of Pest Science, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-022-01548-7.
  • 9. Gugliuzzo A., Aiello D., Biondi A., Giurdanella G., Siscaro G., Zappalà L., Vitale A., Tropea Garzia G., Polizzi G. (2022). Microbial mutualism suppression by Trichoderma and Bacillus species for controlling the invasive ambrosia beetle Xylosandrus compactus. Biological Control, 170, 104929.
  • 8. Passos L.C., Ricupero M., Gugliuzzo A., Soares M.A., Desneux N., Carvalho G.A., Zappalà L., Biondi A. (2022). Does the dose make the poison? Neurotoxic insecticides impair predator orientation and reproduction even at low concentrations. Pest management science, 78, 1698-1706.
  • 7. Gugliuzzo A., Biedermann P.H.W., Carrillo D., Castrillo L.A., Egonyu J.P., Gallego D., Haddi K., Hulcr J., Jactel H., Kajimura H., Kamata N., Meurisse N., Li Y., Oliver J.B., Ranger C.M., Rassati D., Stelinski L.L., Sutherland R., Tropea Garzia G., Wright M.G., Biondi A. (2021). Recent advances toward the sustainable management of invasive Xylosandrus ambrosia beetles. Journal of Pest Science, 94, 615-637. 
  • 6. Gugliuzzo A., Criscione G., Biondi A., Aiello D., Vitale A., Polizzi G., Tropea Garzia G. (2020). Seasonal changes in population structure of the ambrosia beetle Xylosandrus compactus and its associated fungi in a southern Mediterranean environment. PLOS ONE, 15, e0239011.
  • 5. Gugliuzzo A., Criscione G., Tropea Garzia G., (2019). Unusual behavior of Xylosandrus compactus (Coleoptera: Scolytinae) on Carob trees in a Mediterranean environment. Insects, 10, 82. 
  • 4. Gugliuzzo A., Mazzeo G., Mansour R., Tropea Garzia G. (2019). Carob pests in the Mediterranean region: bio-ecology, natural enemies and management options. Phytoparasitica, 47, 605-628.
  • 3. Gugliuzzo A., Criscione G., Siscaro G., Russo A., Tropea Garzia G. (2019). First data on the flight activity and distribution of the ambrosia beetle Xylosandrus compactus (Eichhoff) on carob trees in Sicily. Bulletin OEPP/EPPO Bulletin, 49, 340-351.  
  • 2. Siscaro G., Lo Pumo C., Tropea Garzia, G., Tortorici S., Gugliuzzo A., Ricupero M., Biondi A., Zappalà L. (2019). Temperature and tomato variety influence the development and the plant damage induced by the zoophytophagous mirid bug Nesidiocoris tenuis. Journal of Pest Science, 92, 1049-1056. 
  • 1. Naselli M., Zappalà L., Gugliuzzo A., Tropea Garzia G., Biondi A., Rapisarda C., Cincotta F., Condurso C., Verzera A., Siscaro G. (2017). Olfactory response of the zoophytophagous mirid Nesidiocoris tenuis to tomato and alternative host plants. Arthropod-Plant Interactions, 11, 121-131.

 

 

Papers presented in scientific meetings

  • Tsolakis H., Tropea Garzia G., Gugliuzzo A. (Poster). An unusual overwintering of Tetranychus urticae Koch on strawberries in Sicily (Italy). 9th Symposium of the European Association of Acarologists. 12-15 July 2022, Bari (Italy).
  • Ricupero M., Cammarata S., Gugliuzzo A., Biondi A., Zappalà L., Siscaro G. (Poster). The parasitic complex of Halyomorpha halys: preliminary data on adaptation of native egg parasitoids to the invasive host. III International Organic Fruit Symposium and I International Organic Vegetable Symposium, 14-16 December 2021, online.
  • Gugliuzzo A. (Oral Presentation). Multi-mutualistic interactions for optimized management of the exotic fungus-farming beetle Xylosandrus germanus. 3rd Joint Meeting of Agriculture-oriented PhD Programs UniCT, UniFG and UniUd, 11-15 October 2021, Giovinazzo (Italy).
  • Gugliuzzo A., Criscione G., Giurdanella G., Vitale A., Aiello D., Tropea Garzia G., Biondi A. (Oral Presentation). Potential of biopesticides for controlling the ambrosia beetle Xylosandrus compactus and its main symbiont Ambrosiella xylebori. XXVI Italian National Congress of Entomology (CNIE), Session IX - Forest Entomology, 7-11 June 2021, online.
  • Passos L.C., Ricupero M., Gugliuzzo A., Soares M.A., Desneux N., Carvalho G., Campolo O., Palmeri V., Siscaro G., Zappalà L., Biondi A. (Poster). Lethal and sublethal effects of synthetic insecticides and plant essential oils toward the omnivorous mirid Nesidiocoris tenuis. XXVI Italian National Congress of Entomology (CNIE), Session XIII - Biological Control and Integrated Pest Management, 7-11 June 2021, online.
  • Vitale S., Luongo L., Pennacchio F., Petrucci M., Galli M., Tropea Garzia G., Gugliuzzo A., Francardi V. (Poster). Survey on Xylosandrus compactus associated fungi in Italy. XXVI Italian National Congress of Entomology (CNIE), Session VII - Insects and Microorganisms, 7-11 June 2021, online.
  • Biondi A., Pehelivan S., Strano C.P., Santoro L.M., Gugliuzzo A., Ricupero M., Siscaro G., Zappalà L. (Poster). Potential toxicity of plant essential oils toward the brown marmorated stink Bug. XXVI Italian National Congress of Entomology (CNIE), Session VI – Agricultural Entomology, 7-11 June 2021, online.
  • Gugliuzzo A., Aiello D., Vitale A., Polizzi G., Tropea Garzia G., Biondi A. (Poster). Antagonistic and mycoparasitic microorganisms as potential tools for controlling the invasive ambrosia beetle Xylosandrus compactus. Young Scientists for Plant Health, Web Workshop, 16 December 2020, online.
  • Gugliuzzo A., Vitale A., Aiello D., Tropea Garzia G., Biondi A. (Oral Presentation). Antagonistic and mycoparasitic microorganisms as potential tools for controlling the invasive ambrosia beetle Xylosandrus compactus. European PhD Network “Insect Science”, XI Annual Meeting, 30 November - 4 December 2020, online.
  • Gugliuzzo A., Tropea Garzia G., Biondi A. (Oral Presentation). Population dynamics and carob variety susceptibility to the invasive ambrosia beetle Xylosandrus compactus. 2nd Joint Meeting of Agriculture-oriented PhD Programs UniCT, UniFG and UniUd, 14-16 September 2020, online.
  • Gugliuzzo A., Criscione G., Siscaro G., Russo A., Tropea Garzia G. (Poster). Xylosandrus compactus (Eichhoff): a serious threat to Carobs in Sicily. European PhD Network “Insect Science”, IX Annual Meeting, 14-16 November 2018, Florence (Italy).
  • Gugliuzzo A., Cavallaro C., Alinç T., Finocchiaro E., Tropea Garzia G., Siscaro G., Zappalà L., Biondi A. (Poster). Population dynamics of Drosophila suzukii and first data on its parasitoids on Mount Etna (Italy). XI European Congress of Entomology, 2-6 July 2018, Naples (Italy).

 

 

Other Contribution

  • Gugliuzzo A., Tropea Garzia G. Xylosandrus compactus (Eichhoff) - Emergenza fitosanitaria per i carrubi siciliani. ENTOMATA, Newsletter della Società Entomologica Italiana, N. 9 (22 June 2019).
  • Rizzo R., Gugliuzzo A. Il controllo del Bostrico tipografo, tra cambiamenti climatici e nuove prospettive. Georgofili INFO, Notiziario di informazione a cura dell'Accademia dei Georgofili, online (16 March 2022).
  • Gugliuzzo A., Tropea Garzia G. Informative booklet: “Xylosandrus compactus – uno scolitide invasivo che attacca il legno”. University of Catania (2020).