Pest Management in Post-Harvest Food
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
Understanding of the role of pests in storage areas in particular cereals, pulses, spices, herbs and nuts. Procedures for the application of proper integrated pest management.
Expected learning outcomes
Acquiring knowledge about the problems of storage from the attack of pests. Biology of the main pest species on post-harvest. Procedures for correct prevention of stored product. How to implement a monitoring of pests. Methods of pest control through the use of physical methods.
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
General characteristics of insects.
Characteristics of damage caused to stored products by animal pests.
Main species of stored product pests: Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, Psocoptera, cockroaches, and Zygentoma (Thysanura).
General characteristics of mites.
Main species of storage mites.
Factors favouring the establishment, survival, and spread of food pests.
General prevention measures for infestations.
Sampling and monitoring methods for pests. Use of traps. Use of monitoring data. Determination of the origin of an infestation.
Use of biocides in environments: natural insecticides and synthetic analogues, synthetic organic compounds, fumigants. Regulations for the correct use of biocides in silos and warehouses. Physical control methods. Ethological control using pheromones. Biological control.
Rodents in storage and food production environments: biological and ethological notes, main species, damage, prevention, monitoring, and control methods.
Brief overview of birds and their potential damage in the food industry.
Main legislative references concerning hygiene and infestations in food production facilities.
Characteristics of damage caused to stored products by animal pests.
Main species of stored product pests: Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, Psocoptera, cockroaches, and Zygentoma (Thysanura).
General characteristics of mites.
Main species of storage mites.
Factors favouring the establishment, survival, and spread of food pests.
General prevention measures for infestations.
Sampling and monitoring methods for pests. Use of traps. Use of monitoring data. Determination of the origin of an infestation.
Use of biocides in environments: natural insecticides and synthetic analogues, synthetic organic compounds, fumigants. Regulations for the correct use of biocides in silos and warehouses. Physical control methods. Ethological control using pheromones. Biological control.
Rodents in storage and food production environments: biological and ethological notes, main species, damage, prevention, monitoring, and control methods.
Brief overview of birds and their potential damage in the food industry.
Main legislative references concerning hygiene and infestations in food production facilities.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of general entomology.
Teaching methods
Lectures and practical exercises in classrooms and laboratories aimed at improving knowledge of the topics covered.
Teaching Resources
Süss L., Guerra P., 2021"Gli infestanti nelle industrie alimentari" Edizioni Avenue MediaSupplementary materials available on the course website (myARIEL).
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination, aimed at assessing knowledge of the topics covered in the course and the achievement of the learning outcomes, consists of an oral examination. The oral examination will be based on questions designed to verify the achievement of the learning outcomes, in particular the student's ability to assess the causes of infestations in stored products and the possible methods and strategies available to reduce their impact.
Students with Specific Learning Disorders (DSA)
To benefit from the available accommodations, students must have informed the University Disability and DSA Office (University of Milan) at https://www.unimi.it/it/ugov/ou-structure/cosp-ufficio-servizi-studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa.
Students with DSA and/or disabilities are also required to contact the teacher by email at least 15 days before the exam date to agree on any individualized measures. In the email to the teacher, the relevant University services must be copied: [email protected] (for students with DSA) and [email protected] (for students with disabilities).
Students with Specific Learning Disorders (DSA)
To benefit from the available accommodations, students must have informed the University Disability and DSA Office (University of Milan) at https://www.unimi.it/it/ugov/ou-structure/cosp-ufficio-servizi-studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa.
Students with DSA and/or disabilities are also required to contact the teacher by email at least 15 days before the exam date to agree on any individualized measures. In the email to the teacher, the relevant University services must be copied: [email protected] (for students with DSA) and [email protected] (for students with disabilities).
AGRI-05/A - General and Applied Entomology - University credits: 6
Field activity: 8 hours
Laboratories: 8 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Laboratories: 8 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Savoldelli Sara
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Savoldelli SaraProfessor(s)