Applied Entomology
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to provide an advanced knowledge on the innovative strategies addressed to protect crops and forests, as the integrated pest management, and molecular tools addressed to investigate the multi level systems.
Expected learning outcomes
Students will acquire specific skills on: innovative strategies addressed to protect crops, as the integrated pest management; population dinamics of insects pests; symbiotic control and the sterile insect technique; molecular tools addressed to investigate insect-symbiont interactions.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
1. Introduction to the course
Review of elements of general entomology
Applied entomology: fields of study
2. Molecular taxonomy
Principles and methods of molecular taxonomy (DNA barcoding and metabarcoding)
Applications of molecular taxonomy in entomology
Workshop activities and journal club
3. Ecology of organisms, populations and communities (autecology, demecology, synecology)
4. Interactions among insects and other organisms
Insects-plants interactions
Insects-bacteria interactions
Insect vectors of pathogens (plant)
5. Insects control
Economic damage, economic injury level, economic threshold
Strategies to control insect pests (overview)
Biological control strategies
Integrated pest management
Sterile insect technique
Insect incompatible technique
Case studies and journal clubs on two selected scientific papers
6. Allochthonous insect species.
Historical and recently introduced allochthonous species (overview)
Taxa of interest: Halyomorpha halis, Dryocosmus kuriphilus-Torymus sinensis, Popillia japonica, Diabrotica virgifera, Ceratitis capitata, Bactrocera oleae, Drosophila suzukii
7. Other species of interest
Eupoecilia ambiguella, Lobesia botrana, Ostrinia nubilalis, Scaphoideus titanus, Hyalesthes obsoletus, Philaenus spumarius
Review of elements of general entomology
Applied entomology: fields of study
2. Molecular taxonomy
Principles and methods of molecular taxonomy (DNA barcoding and metabarcoding)
Applications of molecular taxonomy in entomology
Workshop activities and journal club
3. Ecology of organisms, populations and communities (autecology, demecology, synecology)
4. Interactions among insects and other organisms
Insects-plants interactions
Insects-bacteria interactions
Insect vectors of pathogens (plant)
5. Insects control
Economic damage, economic injury level, economic threshold
Strategies to control insect pests (overview)
Biological control strategies
Integrated pest management
Sterile insect technique
Insect incompatible technique
Case studies and journal clubs on two selected scientific papers
6. Allochthonous insect species.
Historical and recently introduced allochthonous species (overview)
Taxa of interest: Halyomorpha halis, Dryocosmus kuriphilus-Torymus sinensis, Popillia japonica, Diabrotica virgifera, Ceratitis capitata, Bactrocera oleae, Drosophila suzukii
7. Other species of interest
Eupoecilia ambiguella, Lobesia botrana, Ostrinia nubilalis, Scaphoideus titanus, Hyalesthes obsoletus, Philaenus spumarius
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge on general entomology
Teaching methods
The course is organized in lessons and integrative teaching activities such as journal clubs, where some scientific articles are analysed and discussed with students (activity useful for the oral exam mode 1), and computer workshops performed. At the end of the course a one-day technical excursion to the experimental fields of the Fondazione Fojanini - Sondrio is organized.
Teaching Resources
Slides of the course.
Review and scientific papers provided on the Ariel page of the course.
Insect Ecology - An Ecosystem Approach. Timothy Schowalter. Academic Press 2006
Review and scientific papers provided on the Ariel page of the course.
Insect Ecology - An Ecosystem Approach. Timothy Schowalter. Academic Press 2006
Assessment methods and Criteria
Two exam modalities are available:
1) Ongoing written exam + oral exam. The written exam aims to verify the student's achievements on the general part of the course (points 1 - 4 of the program below) and consists of a multiple choice test of 15 questions, 2 points each. The oral exam consists of the presentation of a scientific article concerning the course program presented by the student (duration of presentation about 10 ') followed by one / two questions on what has been presented and two / three questions on the special part of the program (points 5 - 7 of the program below). The final mark achieved by the student will be the average of the marks obtained in the ongoing written test, in the presentation and related questions, in the questions on the special part of the course.
2) Oral exam. During the oral exam 6/7 questions will be asked on the entire course program.
1) Ongoing written exam + oral exam. The written exam aims to verify the student's achievements on the general part of the course (points 1 - 4 of the program below) and consists of a multiple choice test of 15 questions, 2 points each. The oral exam consists of the presentation of a scientific article concerning the course program presented by the student (duration of presentation about 10 ') followed by one / two questions on what has been presented and two / three questions on the special part of the program (points 5 - 7 of the program below). The final mark achieved by the student will be the average of the marks obtained in the ongoing written test, in the presentation and related questions, in the questions on the special part of the course.
2) Oral exam. During the oral exam 6/7 questions will be asked on the entire course program.
AGR/11 - GENERAL AND APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor:
Montagna Matteo
Shifts:
-
Professor:
Montagna Matteo