Applied Entomology

Person in charge: Gaetano Siscaro

Ten professors are part of the section: two full, three associate and five assistant professors. All of them belong to the scientific-teaching sector of AGR/11 (Italian classification). The professors actively work on research topics related to (i) the development of sustainable protection tools and strategies for crops and stored products, (ii) the biology and taxonomy of arthropod pests and their natural enemies, as well as (iii) the food webs for pollinators and natural enemies. The section holds seven laboratories specific for experimental and teaching activities.

Research themes and Projects

The research topics of the Applied Entomology section are related to:

• novel integrated and organic pest control tools and strategies in cropping systems and natural and urban environments;
• biology, ecology and damage caused by the main invasive exotic pests recently and/or at risk of introduction in Italy;
• biology and ecology of arthropod pests of forestal and ornamental interest
• biology, ecology and potential applications of biocontrol agents;
• arthropod pest complex for stored food (raw and processed material, processing and seasoning environments);
• taxonomy, biology and ecology of Rhynchota Sternorrhyncha;
• pollinator fauna biology and ecology in artificial and natural landscapes;
• beekeeping and honeybee health;
• biotechnologies applied to insects systematics
• (eco)toxicology of pesticides and novel biopesticides on pests and natural enemies.
• These activities have been and are currently carried out in the framework of research projects funded by local, national and European funding agencies, as well as by various private companies.
• Some of these are activities also represent a unique opportunity for outreach activities targeting farms, food companies and other agro-food and environmental bodies.

Recent and ongoing research projects

• Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR), PRIN project, ‘Biopesticides for sustainable insect pest control’ (BIOPIC) (2017-2020), Coordinator: Lucia Zappalà.
• Italian Ministry of Forest and Agriculture, ‘Difesa da organismi nocivi in olivicoltura tradizionale e intensiva (DIOL)’ (2018-2020). Research unit coordinator: Gaetana Mazzeo.
• European Commission, FP7-ERA-NET action, ARIMNET 2 call, ‘Sustainable Tomato Production’ (STomP) (2016-2019), Coordinator: Lucia Zappalà.
• University of Catania, ‘Emergent Pests and Pathogens and Relative Sustainable Strategies’ (2017-2019), Work Package leader: Antonio Biondi.
• Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR), Scientific Independence of young researchers (SIR), ‘Target and non-target entomotoxicity of bioinsectide nanoformulations (ENTOBIONANO)’ (2015-2018), Coordinator: Antonio Biondi.
• European Commission, FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IRSES APHIWEB, ‘Structure, strength and invasibility of aphid food webs’ (2014 - 2017). Research unit coordinator: Lucia Zappalà.
• European Commission, FP7 PEOPLE 2012 IRSES ASCII, ‘Ameliorating the Sustainable Control of Invasive Insects’ (2013 - 2016). Research unit coordinator: Lucia Zappalà.
• Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR), PRIN project, ‘Insetti e globalizzazione: controllo sostenibile di specie esotiche in ecosistemi agro-forestali (GEISCA)’ (2013-2016). Research unit coordinator: Gaetano Siscaro.
• Department of Food and Agriculture of the Sicilian Region, ‘Ricerca Reintroduzione e conservazione della sottospecie a rischio estinzione Apis mellifera siciliana (Della Torre, 1986) (APESLOW)’ (2011 - 2014). Coordinator: Gaetana Mazzeo.
• Department of Food and Agriculture of the Sicilian Region, ‘Metodologie innovative per la lotta alla Tristeza degli agrumi. O.R. 4 - Metodi di contenimento degli afidi vettori della Tristeza degli agrumi’ (2011 - 2014). Coordinator: Giuseppe Eros Massimino Cocuzza.
• Sicilian Region, 4.1.1.1 POR FESR 2007-2013 ‘Programma di ricerca Soluzioni innovative per la sicurezza alimentare nella filiera cerealicola S.I.S.A. CER’ (2011- 2014). Coordinator: Agatino Russo.
• Department of Food and Agriculture of the Sicilian Region, ‘Tutela e Valorizzazione dell'Ambiente Progetto per lo sviluppo dell’Agricoltura biologica in Sicilia sottoprogetto Gestione fitosanitaria in orticoltura biologica in serra’ (2012-2014). Responsabile: Gaetano Siscaro.
• Italian Ministry of Forest and Agriculture, ‘Protezione delle palme ornamentali e spontanee dalla invasione del punteruolo rosso’ (2012 - 2013). Coordianator: Santi Longo.
• Department of Food and Agriculture of the Sicilian Region, ‘Miglioramento della qualità dei cereali e dei loro derivati attraverso l’utilizzo di risorse genetiche per l’aumento della competitività delle imprese (MICERIGE) Settore di intervento: Risorse genetiche -azione 3: Definizione quanti-qualitativa delle specie infestanti (2011 - 2013)’. Coordinator: Pompeo Suma.
• Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR), PRIN project, ‘Biologia e controllo integrato di Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) in Italia’, (2010-2012). Coordinator: Carmelo Rapisarda.

External Activity

Recent and ongoing research contracts

• Andermatt Biocontrol AG (Switzerland). Academic coordinator: Lucia Zappalà.
• Syngenta Crop Protection s.p.a.. Academic coordinator: Giovanna Tropea Garzia.
• Agrigeos s.r.l.. Academic coordinator: Gaetano Siscaro.
• Dow Agro Science. Academic coordinator: Giuseppe Eros Massimino Cocuzza.
• Cheminova Agro Italia s.r.l.. Academic coordinator: Antonio Biondi.
• Ecospray L.T.D.. Academic coordinator: Antonio Biondi.
• Aras (Associazione Regionale Apicoltori Siciliani). Academic coordinator: Mazzeo Gaetana.