Applied Entomology
A.Y. 2020/2021
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
Due to the present covid-19 emergency, lessons will be provided adopting three approaches: i. in-class lessons/activities (according with the covid-19 restrictions); ii. on-line using Microsoft Teams; and iii. registered audio files. Teaching materials (presentation of the lessons, audio file and scientific papers) will be provided through the course site at ariel.unimi.it and in the dedicated folder on Microsoft Teams (link: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/team/19%3a4860af70accd4d9faf077527d6ee604d%40thread.tacv2/conversations?groupId=b6575bb1-d70e-46a8-8450-e7426082866e&tenantId=13b55eef-7018-4674-a3d7-cc0db06d545c
Course syllabus
The program of the course will remain unchanged.
Program of the course academic year 2020/2021
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
Program of the course academic year 2020/2021
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
Prerequisites for admission
General entomology
Teaching methods
Lessons will be sometimes in-class, while the majority will be on-line (on Microsoft Teams platform), both synchronous and asynchronous, following the already posted calendar of the course and Atheneum prescriptions. Lessons will be registered and made available on Ariel and Microsoft Teams. Workshops will be on-line, sometimes asynchronous (material with audio commentary available on Ariel) others synchronous in order to critically discuss publications and scientific reports (on Microsoft Teams). Information on lessons, modalities to access Microsoft Teams and course updates will be posted on the Ariel page of the course. For this reason, it is recommended to visit Ariel regularly. According to pandemic evolution and in accordance with the regulations, in-class lessons could be altered; in this case, students will be promptly informed through Ariel.
Teaching Resources
1. The Insects: An Outline of Entomology, 5th Edition - P.J. Gullan, P.S. Cranston. Wiley-Blackwell 2014. (General entomology)
2. Gli Insetti e il loro controllo - a cura di Francesco Pennacchio. Liguori Editore 2014.
3. Insect Ecology - An Ecosystem Approach. Timothy Schowalter. Academic Press 2006
4. Chemical Ecology of Insect Parasitoids. Eric Wajnberg and Stefano Colazza, Wiley 2013
5. Selected scientific papers
2. Gli Insetti e il loro controllo - a cura di Francesco Pennacchio. Liguori Editore 2014.
3. Insect Ecology - An Ecosystem Approach. Timothy Schowalter. Academic Press 2006
4. Chemical Ecology of Insect Parasitoids. Eric Wajnberg and Stefano Colazza, Wiley 2013
5. Selected scientific papers
Assessment methods and Criteria
As in the previous course editions, there are two types of oral exams and students will choose one of them:
1) presentation of a scientific article concerning the program of the course (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). The final mark obtained by the student will be the average of the marks obtained by the presentation of the article and related questions, plus the questions on the special part of the course.
2) oral exam without presentation of a scientific article. During the oral exam 6/7 questions will be formulated on the entire course program.
1) presentation of a scientific article concerning the program of the course (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). The final mark obtained by the student will be the average of the marks obtained by the presentation of the article and related questions, plus the questions on the special part of the course.
2) oral exam without presentation of a scientific article. During the oral exam 6/7 questions will be formulated on the entire course program.
AGR/11 - GENERAL AND APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professor:
Montagna Matteo