27660 - Agro-forestry Entomology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the students know the basics of the morphology and anatomy of insects, the biology and ethology of the most harmful insects to different plant species of plants. They understand the agro-forestry environment in the view of the management of insect populations and plant protection

Course contents

General characteristics of the Insects and other Arthropods. Morphology, anatomy and physiology : the integument, the head and mouthparts , the thorax, legs and wings, the abdomen and it s appendages; internal anatomy with special regard to the nervous, tracheal, exocrine and endocrine system; pheromones, hormones and their functions; reproduction; moulting and metamorphosis, post-embryonic stages, adult. Insects and environment: diapause, population dynamics, species distribution. Insects and plants: plant damage by phytophagous insects, insects as pathogen vectors; plant resistance to insects. Problems associated with the introduction of exotic insect species into new environments, with examples. Beneficial insects with particular regard to predators and parasitoids. Semiochemicals. Phytophagous pest insect management in the field and in the forest: cultural, mechanical, physical, biological, chemical control; integrated pest management. General features of the 30 insect orders, in particular: Collembola, Thysanura, Odonata, Blattodea, Isoptera, Dermaptera, Orthoptera, Thysanoptera, Rhynchota, Lepidoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera. Methods of preparation and recognition of some species of insects. The following species that have significant economic importance in the field and in the forest will be dealt based on the morphological characteristics, the direct and indirect damages, the biological cycle, sampling methods and economic thresholds,  the main natural enemies and the control methods with particular regard to those with lower environmental impact: Lepisma saccharina (Thysanura), Blatta orientalis, Blattella germanica (Blattodea), Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera); Scaphoideus titanus, Metcalfa pruinosa, Psylla pyri, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, Quadraspidiotus perniciosus, Planococcus citri (Rhynchota), Cydia pomonella, Lobesia botrana, Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Lepidoptera), Liriomyza trifolii, L. huidobrensis, Bactrocera oleae, Ceratitis capitata, Rhagoletis cerasi (Diptera),  Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera), Dryocosmus kuriphilus, Vespa crabro (Hymenoptera). The aphid life cycles, with examples, will be also dealt with. Some characteristics of the following species and families (beneficials or pests) will be also considered: Forficula auricularia (Dermaptera), Gryllus campestrus, Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa, Dociostaurus maroccanus,Calliptamus italicus (Orthoptera); Orius laevigatus, Anthocoris nemoralis (Rhynchota); Chrysoperla carnea (Neurotteri);  Fam. Syrphidae, Fam. Tachinidae (Diptera); Fam. Cerambycidae, Fam. Scaraboeidae, Fam. Coccinellidae  (Coleoptera);  Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera).

Readings/Bibliography

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

Gullan P.J., Cranston P.S., 2006.- Lineamenti di Entomologia. Zanichelli, Bologna

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

Pollini A., 1998.- Manuale di Entomologia applicata. Edagricole, Bologna.

Lecture notes

Teaching methods

The lectures will be supplemented with audio-visual aids. The course will include laboratory and field practicals. 

Assessment methods

Oral exam. The main species of agricultural and forest interest will have to be recognized

Teaching tools

Videoprojector

Office hours

See the website of Maria Luisa Dindo