00283 - Agricultural Entomology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student knows the bases of the insect  morphology and anatomy and the biology and behaviour of the most harmful insects for different plant species. Th student can understand the agro-forestry environment in the view of the mangement of the insect populations and plant protection.

Course contents

Pre-requisites

The student attending this course has the preparation given by the courses of the first and second year, especially those concerning plant biology, agronomy, herbaceous crops, arboriculture.The student speaks English, since part of the didactic tools proposed (including some videos) are in English.

CONTENTS

1. General characteristics, morphology, anatomy, physiology of the insects (17 hours)

1.1. General characteristics of the Arthropods and of the class of Insects

1.2. Morphology, anatomy, physiology of the insects

1.2.1. Morphology: integument, head, mouthparts, torax, legs and wings, abdomen and its appendices

1.2.2. Anatomy: internal structure of the insect body, with particular regard to the nervous, respiratory, exocrine and endocrine system

1.2.3. Physiology: pheromones, hormones and their function; reproduction; moults and metamorphosis, post-embryonic stages, adult; diapause

Unit 1 expertise acquired. The student:

a) knows the characteristics of the Arthropods and those typical of the insects

b) knows the main traits of the insect morphology and anatomy

c) knows the main aspects of insect physiology, useful at understanding their role in the agro-forestry environment and the mode of action of some control methods

2. Insects in the agro-forestry ecosystem (11 hours)

2.1. Insects and environment

2.1.1. Population dynamics (Biotic potential and abiotic and biotic environmental resistance)

2.1.2. Insect spreading. Problems related with the introduction of new species in new environments. EPPO role.

2.2. Phytophagous insects and different damage types

2.3. Beneficial insects, especially entomophages

2.4. Semiochemicals

2.4.1. Pheromones vs. allelochemicals

2.4.2. Kairomones, allomones, synomones

Unit 2 expertise acquired. The student:

a) knows the main factors which regulate the insect population dynamics and spreading in the agro-forestry ecosystem, with special regard to alien species

b) knows the main types of damage caused by phytophagous insects to plants and the role of beneficial insects, especially entomophages

c) knows the main characteristics of semiochemicals and their role in the insect-environment relationship

3. Plant protection from insects in agro-environmental ecosystems (12 hours) 

3.1. Biological and microbiological control

3.1.1. Biological control

3.1.2. Biotechnical methods

3.1.3. Microbiological control with particular regard to the products based on Bacillus thuringiensis

3.2. Agronomic, mechanical and physical control

3.3. Chemical control and side effects of the insecticides

3.4. Guided and integrated pest management

3.2.1. Economical thresholds

3.2.2. Monitoring

3.3.3. Application of Integrated Pest Management

Unit 3 expertise acquired. The student:

a) knows the main control methods against insects, including those at low environmental impact

b) knows the principles of a correct population insect management and plant protection in the context of a sustainable agriculture

Unit 4. Special part (10 hours)

4.1.  Notes on taxonomy, general features and biological characteristics of following orders of the class of Insects: Collembola, Thysanura, Ephemeroptera, Blattodea, Isoptera, Plecoptera, Dermaptera, Phasmida, Orthoptera (Caelifera and Ensifera), Psocoptera, Anoplura, Thysanoptera, Rhynchota (Heteroptera and Homoptera), Neuroptera, Trichoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera)

4.2. Biological cycle of the following insects and relevant control methods

4.2.1. Rhynchota:  Aphid cycle, with examples; Quadraspidiotus perniciosus

4.2.2. Lepidoptera: Cydia pomonella,  Thaumetopoea pityocampa

4.2.3. Diptera:   Bactrocera oleae, Ceratitis capitata, Rhagoletis cerasi, Drosophila suzukii

4.2.4. Coleoptera: Leptinotarsa decemlineata

4.2.5  Hymenoptera: Dryocosmus kuriphilus, Vespa crabro

4.3. General characteristics of the following species and families, harmful or useful:  Blatta orientalis, Blattella germanica, Gryllus campestrus, Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa, Dociostaurus maroccanus,Calliptamus italicus (Orthoptera);  Fam. Sirphidae, Fam. Tachinidae (Diptera); Fam. Curculionidae, Fam. Cerambycidae, Fam. Scaraboeidae, Fam. Coccinellidae (Coleoptera);  Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera).

Unit 4 expertise acquired. The student

a) knows the general characteristics of the orders belonging to the class of Insects and can recognize them

b) knows some of the main species/families of economical interest and the control methods

5. Practical activities (performed within each unit)

• Laboratory activities on the characteristics of the class of Insects, on their morphology and anatomy
• Laboratory activities on the insects dealt with in the Special Part (Unit 4), with the help of the entomological cases available at the Entomology area of DiPSA. Visit to DiPSA Entomological Collection
• Laboratory activity on the collection, conservation and preparation methods of insects. How to take photos of insects
• Field activity, at the Horticultural Garden or in other places, aimed at insect watching. The students will be allowed to collect insects to prepare them or to take photos.
• Vision and comment of audiovisual documents on alien insects and biological control
• Visit to the laboratories and insect colonies available at the Entomology area of DiPSA. The student will be able to learn the maintenance methods of these colonies.

 

 

 

Readings/Bibliography

Il will be very important the use of the material distributed by the teacher and the lecture notes 

Textbook

-Masutti L., Zangheri S., 2001.- Entomologia generale e applicata.- CEDAM, Padova

 

To deepen knowledge::

- Pollini A., 2013.- Entomologia applicata.2a ed. Edagricole, Milano

-Gullan P.J., Cranston P.S., 2006.- The Insects - An Outline of Entomology. Blackwell Science

-Tremblay E.- Entomologia applicata. Volume primo: Generalità e Mezzi di Controllo.- Liguori editore, Napoli

 

Teaching methods

The course is composed of 4 Units of lectures performed with slides which will be available to the students for the preparation of the exam. Practical activities will be alternated to the lectures. During the exam preparation, the students will be encouraged at watching the entomological cases available at the Entomology area in a special classroom

Assessment methods

In the Degree "Land and agro-forestry Sciences" the Course is part of the Integrated Course of "Entomology and Agricultural and Forestry Pathology" with the Course "Plant pathology in agroforestal system".

In the Degree "Marketing and Economics of the agro-industrial system" the Course is part of the Integrated Course of "Plant Protection" with the Course "Plant Pathology and Pathometry ".

Within each Degree, the evaluation of the Integrated Course will take into account jointly the knowledge and expertise acquired by the students about the contents of all the above-mentioned Courses. Knowledge and expertise acquired in the present Course will be assessed as follows: FINAL EXAM, which provides an oral test (duration: 20-30 min). The student will have to answer, at least at a sufficient level, one question per Unit at least.  The student, during the exam, will have also to recognize insect species and groups in entomological cases, similar to those available in the Entomology area.

Teaching tools

PC, Projector, Entomological Collection, Insect colonies

Office hours

See the website of Maria Luisa Dindo