Control Strategies for Insect Pests and Vectors
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to provide students with knowledge on problems related to the control of phytophagous insects and of vectors of borne diseases, deepening the concept of integrated pest control and illustrating the main biotechnological approaches for insect pest management.
Expected learning outcomes
Students will be able to communicate with pertinent scientific language, even to non-specialized people, the main insect control strategies, including those based on new biotechnological methods. The student, thanks to the acquired knowledge, will be able to discuss on the types of damage inflicted by different phytophagous categories, on the consequences of vector borne diseases and on the most appropriate solutions that can be adopted to control these insects, respecting the environment and ecosystems.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course, after a brief introduction on the main morphofunctional features of insects, will describe the strategies to control phytophagous insects and insect vector borne disease.
Control of phytophagous insects:
- damages caused by phytophagous insects and their classification
- evolution of strategies to control insect pest
- chemical control
- biological control
- the concept of integrated pest management
- insect-plant interactions
- interaction between insects and their natural enemies and molecules from enemies with potential for pest control
- interaction between insects and entomopathogenic microorganisms: microbial control and use of recombinant entomopathogens
- transgenic plants
- RNAi-mediated control of crop pest
- the development of insect resistance to control methods
Control of insects, vectors of diseases:
- arthropod vectors of public health importance: general introduction on diseases and their vectors (mosquitoes, sandflies, fleas, triatomines, tse-tse flies, ticks)
- chemical control strategies: insecticides; problems of economic and environmental sustainability, the resistance. Strategies to increase insecticide activity and complementary strategies
- biological control strategies: bacteria that express toxins or killer bacteria; bacteria that induce cytoplasmic incompatibility or that reduce vectorial capacity
- environmental control strategies: strategies to reduce exposure to vectors and vector-borne pathogens
- biotechnological control: GMO insects and "gene-drive systems" mediated by CRISPR-CAS9; paratransgenesis; sterile insect technique
- social impact of diseases transmitted by insects. Short historical overview of successes.
Control of phytophagous insects:
- damages caused by phytophagous insects and their classification
- evolution of strategies to control insect pest
- chemical control
- biological control
- the concept of integrated pest management
- insect-plant interactions
- interaction between insects and their natural enemies and molecules from enemies with potential for pest control
- interaction between insects and entomopathogenic microorganisms: microbial control and use of recombinant entomopathogens
- transgenic plants
- RNAi-mediated control of crop pest
- the development of insect resistance to control methods
Control of insects, vectors of diseases:
- arthropod vectors of public health importance: general introduction on diseases and their vectors (mosquitoes, sandflies, fleas, triatomines, tse-tse flies, ticks)
- chemical control strategies: insecticides; problems of economic and environmental sustainability, the resistance. Strategies to increase insecticide activity and complementary strategies
- biological control strategies: bacteria that express toxins or killer bacteria; bacteria that induce cytoplasmic incompatibility or that reduce vectorial capacity
- environmental control strategies: strategies to reduce exposure to vectors and vector-borne pathogens
- biotechnological control: GMO insects and "gene-drive systems" mediated by CRISPR-CAS9; paratransgenesis; sterile insect technique
- social impact of diseases transmitted by insects. Short historical overview of successes.
Prerequisites for admission
Mandatory preparatory courses are not required, but good knowledge of general entomology is strongly recommended
Teaching methods
The course includes lectures and seminars
Teaching Resources
Textbook: "Gli insetti e il loro controllo" a cura di F. Pennacchio, Liguori Editore.
Additional materials (slides, articles and reviews) will be made available to students on the Ariel platform.
Additional materials (slides, articles and reviews) will be made available to students on the Ariel platform.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The students have to pass an oral exam. The final evaluation will take into account the language property (10 % of the total grade), the level of knowledge and understanding of the main strategies to control insect pest and vectors and the new biocontrol techniques that are being studied/developed (70 % of the total grade), as well as the ability to apply the knowledge acquired during the course to case studies (20% of the total grade).
AGR/11 - GENERAL AND APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY
VET/06 - PARASITOLOGY AND ANIMAL PARASITIC DISEASES
VET/06 - PARASITOLOGY AND ANIMAL PARASITIC DISEASES
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Casartelli Morena, Epis Sara
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Friday from 2.30 PM by appointment
Department of Biosciences, via Celoria 26, ground floor, B tower