18160 - Grape Entomology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students will recognize the main arthropod pests in Italian vineyards and the injuries they cause to grapevines. Moreover, students will be able to plan and carry out integrated and/or organic pest management strategies in vineyards. Students will acquire the skills to select appropriate techniques for the sustainable management of arthropod pests in the vineyards, with the aim to conserve key ecosystem services. The students will be able to apply methods and techniques to enhance natural enemies in vineyards, and to sample and identify the main beneficial arthropod species.

Course contents

The student who accesses this course has a good preparation in plant biology and viticultural techniques. Such knowledge and skills are provided by the teachings of the first and second year.

The management of arthropod that cause yield losses to grapevine is a cornerstone of viticulture. Sustainability and low environmental impact are and will become more and more important to tackle the challenges that grapevine growers will face. Consequently, the ability to plan and apply sustainable control methods for arthropods in the vineyard is a priority in the education of a graduate in Viticulture and Enology.

Introduction to the Arthropods (0.5 CFU): Differences between Mandibulata and Chelicerata. Arachnids, mites (Acarina) and insects.

General Entomology (1.5 CFU): morphology, head, mouthparts, thorax, legs and wings, abdomen, insect integument, color, muscular system, nervous system and sense organs, digestive system and nutrition, respiratory system, circulatory system, excretory system, endocrine and secretory system, hormones, exocrine glands, reproductive system and reproduction, eggs, fertility, metamorphosis, juveniles and adult stages, sexual dimorphism, aggregation of individuals, insects and the environment (diapause, population dynamics, spread of the species), insects and plants (pollinators, phytophagous insects and related damage), plant resistance, natural enemies: predators (Coleoptera Coccinellidae and Carabidae, Diptera Syrphidae, Neuroptera Chrysopidae, Hemiptera) and parasitoids (Terebrantia and Aculeata), other arthropod predators (phytoseiid mites), pheromones and other semiochemicals.

Identification, distribution, biology, phenology and control strategies of the main grape pests (1.5 CFU): Hemiptera (Scaphoideus titanus, Hyalestes obsoletus, Empoasca vitis, Jacobiasca lybica, Zygina rhamni, Stictocephala bisonia, Metcalfa pruinosa, Viteus vitifoliae, Planococcus ficus, Pseudococcus comstocki e other mealybugs and scales of the grapevine, Halyomorpha halys), Thripidae (Drepanothrips reuteri), Lepidoptera (Lobesia botrana, Eupoecilia ambiguella, Cryptoblabes gnidiella, Noctua spp., Theresimima amplelophaga), Coleoptera (Sinoxylon perforans, Sinoxylon sexdentatum, Byctiscus betulae, Popillia japonica, Harmonia axyridis), Diptera (Janetiella oenophila, Drosophila suzukii), Hymenoptera (Vespidae), Acarina (Panonychus ulmi, Eotetranychus carpini, Calomerus vitis, Calepitrimerus vitis).

Vineyard protection (2.5 CFU): Agroecology in vineyards and principles of plant protection, Integrated Pest Management, economic thresholds, insect sampling in vineyards, pheromones (monitoring and mating disruption for Lobesia botrana) and semiochemical (herbivore-induced plant volatiles and their role in vineyard protection), management of Grape phylloxera by resistant plants, biological control in the vineyard (classic, augmentation and conservation biological control programs), microbial control of lepidopteran pests by Bacillus thuringiensis-derived insecticides, mandatory measures for Scaphoiudeus titanus, insecticide classification by Mode of Action (sensu IRAC, Insecticide Resistance Action Committee), side-effects of insecticides, resistance management, insecticide selectivity, IPM plans with particular reference to Emilia-Romagna region, from integrated to organic management, vineyard protection in the organic farming.

Readings/Bibliography

For the preparation of the final exam, the teacher will provide the PowerPoint slides shown and discussed during the lessons.

For further information, the following books are recommended:

- Lucchi A., 2014 Note di entomologia viticola. Pisa University Press.

- Lucchi A., 2017 - Note di entomologia viticola (III edizione) - Pisa University Press.

- Ragusa S., Tsolakis H., 2006 La difesa della vite dagli artropodi dannosi. Università degli studi di Palermo

- Bostanian J. N., Vincent C., Isaacs R., 2012 Arthropod management in vineyards: pests, approaches, and future directions. Springer

Teaching methods

The course consists of theoretical lectures, practical lectures and activities.

Lectures (36 hours) include: theoretical lessons; analysis of integrated pest management plans, with particular reference to the Emilia Romagna region.

Practical lectures and activities (24 hours) include the identification of pests, of injuries they cause to grapevines and of beneficial arthropods by means of photographic/multimedia material and/or entomological boxes.

Assessment methods

The evaluation of the student’s skills is based on a final oral examination, consisting of 3-4 questions on the syllabus of the course. The identification of pest and beneficial insects and mites will be required and assessed showing photos or entomological boxes.

Office hours

See the website of Antonio Masetti