27660 - Agro-forestry Entomology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will know the morphology, anatomy of insects; the biology and ethology of the main pest insects. The student will be able to understand the relationship between insects and agro-forest ecosystems in the framework of the integrated pest management.

Course contents

1. General morphological, anatomical, physiological traits of insects

1.1. The Class Insecta: systematic of the main orders and differences with other Arthropods.

1.2. Morfology, anatomy, physiology of insects

1.2.1. Morfology: head, mouthparts, thorax, legs and wings, abdomen and its appendages.

1.2.2. Anatomy: integument, nervous system, gaseous exchange, alimentary canal, reproductive system, exocrine and endocrine system.

1.2.3. Physiology: pheromones, hormones and their functions; reproduction modalities; metamorphosis, postembryonic development; diapause; pesticide mode of actions.

2. Insects ed ecosystems

2.1. Insect biodiversity;

2.2. Importance of insects in the ecosystems;

2.3. Agroecosystems;

2.4. Population dynamics of insects;

2.5. The impact of introduced exotic insect species;

2.6. Beneficial and pest insects.

3. Insect pest control in agro-forest ecosystems

3.1. Biological and microbiological control;

3.2. Mechanical, physical and agronomical control;

3.3. Chemical control and side effects of pesticides;

3.4. Integrated pest control;

2. Special Part

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

2.2. Biological cycle of insects of special interest in agriculture and control methods:

2.2.1. Hemiptera: Halyomorpha halys, Aphids. Quadraspidiotus perniciosus

2.2.2. Lepidoptera: Cydia pomonella, Thaumetopoea pityocampa

2.2.3. Diptera: Drosophila suzukii

2.2.4. Coleoptera: Anoplophora chinensis, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus

2.2.5. Hymenoptera: Dryocosmus kuriphilus, Neodiprion sertifer

2.3. General traits of the following species and families: Blatta orientalis, Blattella germanica (Blattodea), Gryllus campestris, Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa, Dociostaurus maroccanus,Calliptamus italicus (Hortoptera); Fam. Tefritidi (Bactrocera oleae, Ceratitis capitata, Rhagoletis cerasi) (Diptera) Fam. Curculionidi, Fam. Cerambicidi, Fam. Scarabeidi, Fam. Coccinellidi (Coleoptera); Vespa crabro, Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera).

PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES

• Laboratory activities on morphology and anatomy of insects

• Field activities

• Seminars and workshops

Readings/Bibliography

Teaching materials (slides) distributed by the teacher (in Italian) and the lecture notes, on line lessons at IOL (https://iol.unibo.it/ )

Textbook

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

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

Pollini A., 2013.- Entomologia applicata.2a ed. Edagricole, Milano (solo specie in programma)

Gullan P.J. and Cranston P.S. 2000 - The Insects. An outline of Entomology. Blackwell Science Ltd

Teaching methods

The course is composed of 5 CFU performed with slides which will be available to the students for the preparation of the exam. Practical activities will be alternated to the lectures.

Assessment methods

The final exam consists of an oral test (of about 20 min ). The student, during the exam, will have also to recognize insect species from pictures.

Teaching tools

PC, Projector, entomological collection.

Office hours

See the website of Antonio Martini