Fundamentals of Entomology and Plant Pathology
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
Provide to the student basic knowledge on: insect families and species most important for agriculture and on disease agents of plants of agricultural interest; biology and ethology of key insects of the main crops and pathogens (fungi, bacteria, viruses and phytoplasmas) agent of infectious diseases; diagnostic tools; pest population dynamics and disease epidemiology; biological control and strategies for innovative and sustainable defense management of the crops of agricultural interest.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge of: the insect orders and of the morphological characteristics of the most important families and species of agricultural interest; the main diseases of crops of agricultural interest; the models of the pest population and disease dynamics; the fundamentals of biological control. The student will be able to manage the defense of crops according to sustainability principles.
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
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Plant pathology: historical notes and fundamental concepts of plant pathology. Economic importance of diseases. Types of disease. Phytopathogenic agents: fungi, bacteria and viruses. Phases of disease. Diagnostics: general principles and observation of symptoms. Koch's postulates: theory and laboratory exercises. Host resistance to pathogens. Quantification of diseases. Epidemiology: dynamics of disease growth. Strategies, tactics and means of defense for the management of epidemic diseases.
Systematic classification of insects. Morphology of head, thorax and abdomen. Integumental, digestive, nervous, respiratory and circulatory systems. Reproduction: oviparity, ovoviviparity, viviparity. Eggs: methods of deposition. Post-embryonic development: moults and metamorphosis: ametabolism, heterometabolism, holometabolism. Post-embryonic stages: neanids, nymphs, larvae, pupae, adults. Morphological characters for the recognition of Orders and families of agricultural interest. Biology of the key insects of the main agricultural crops. Hemiptera: Halyomorpha halys, Aphids; Lepidoptera: Noctuids, Ostrinia nubilalis, Tortricidae (Embroiderers and carpophagous); Coleoptera: Melolontha melolontha, Popillia japonica, Elaterids, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera; Diptera: Tipulids, Tephritids and Agromyzids. Evolution of insect control methods: general guidelines, control with agronomic, mechanical, physical means, biological control, calendar chemical control, guided control and damage and intervention thresholds, integrated management.
Systematic classification of insects. Morphology of head, thorax and abdomen. Integumental, digestive, nervous, respiratory and circulatory systems. Reproduction: oviparity, ovoviviparity, viviparity. Eggs: methods of deposition. Post-embryonic development: moults and metamorphosis: ametabolism, heterometabolism, holometabolism. Post-embryonic stages: neanids, nymphs, larvae, pupae, adults. Morphological characters for the recognition of Orders and families of agricultural interest. Biology of the key insects of the main agricultural crops. Hemiptera: Halyomorpha halys, Aphids; Lepidoptera: Noctuids, Ostrinia nubilalis, Tortricidae (Embroiderers and carpophagous); Coleoptera: Melolontha melolontha, Popillia japonica, Elaterids, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera; Diptera: Tipulids, Tephritids and Agromyzids. Evolution of insect control methods: general guidelines, control with agronomic, mechanical, physical means, biological control, calendar chemical control, guided control and damage and intervention thresholds, integrated management.
Prerequisites for admission
Students must have knowledge of botany, zoology, biochemistry, plant physiology, agronomy, microbiology, genetics, field crops, fruit crops, forest crops, and ornamental crops.
Teaching methods
The course is mainly based on lectures integrated with laboratory work and field activities.
Teaching Resources
Agrios G.N., Academic Press.
The insects : an outline of entomology / P. J. Gullan and P. S. Cranston ; with illustrations by Karina H. McInnes
Notes, slides and papers available for students in myAriel.
The insects : an outline of entomology / P. J. Gullan and P. S. Cranston ; with illustrations by Karina H. McInnes
Notes, slides and papers available for students in myAriel.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam will be oral.
The exam will be aimed at ascertaining the achievement of the educational objectives in terms of knowledge acquired, comprehension skills, presentation and mastery of the specific language.
The grade will be expressed in thirtieths.
Students with DSA and with disabilities are requested to contact the teacher by email at least 15 days before the scheduled exam date to agree on any individualized measures. In the email addressed to the teacher, it is necessary to put the respective University Services in CC: [email protected] (for students with DSA) and [email protected] (for students with disabilities)
The exam will be aimed at ascertaining the achievement of the educational objectives in terms of knowledge acquired, comprehension skills, presentation and mastery of the specific language.
The grade will be expressed in thirtieths.
Students with DSA and with disabilities are requested to contact the teacher by email at least 15 days before the scheduled exam date to agree on any individualized measures. In the email addressed to the teacher, it is necessary to put the respective University Services in CC: [email protected] (for students with DSA) and [email protected] (for students with disabilities)
AGR/11 - GENERAL AND APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY - University credits: 4
AGR/12 - PLANT PATHOLOGY - University credits: 4
AGR/12 - PLANT PATHOLOGY - University credits: 4
Laboratories: 16 hours
Lessons: 56 hours
Lessons: 56 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
On call
Office c/o DeFENS building A 21030 (first to the left entering the college from via Celoria)
Reception:
free
DeFENS Via Celoria 2 Milano