Giuseppe Eros Massimino Cocuzza

(Updated at 13.3.2025)

Academic Position

Associate Professor, Scientific Disciplinary Sector: 05/A - General and Applied Entomology University: University of Catania - Department: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Scientific and Professional Career

Degree in Agricultural Sciences with a specialization in Defense, obtained from the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Catania on November 4, 1993, with an experimental thesis titled: "Experimental use of Orius laevigatus (Fieber) against Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) on peppers in a cold greenhouse."

Volunteer Collaborator and later contracted at the Institute of Agricultural Entomology of the University of Catania, from January to December 1994, involved in research activities on Orius laevigatus.

Post-graduate specialization and advanced training scholarship for one year, awarded by the Ministry of Public Education; the research activity took place at the Laboratory of Agrozoology - Faculty of Agricultural and Applied Biological Sciences, University of Gent (Belgium) from January 4 to December 30, 1995.

PhD (XII cycle) in "Agricultural Entomology" announced by the University of Naples "Federico II"; the research activity was carried out at the Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology of the University of Rome 'La Sapienza' from 1997 to 2000. The Ph.D. title was obtained on February 17, 2000, with the judging Commission 026/2000 AGRICULTURAL ENTOMOLOGY, presenting a final dissertation titled "Biochemical and biological investigations for the taxonomic discrimination of some species of the genera Brachycaudus van der Goot and Anuraphis Del Guercio (Rhynchota Homoptera Aphididae)."

Scholarship awarded by the Italian Plant Protection Association to young researchers who distinguished themselves for the scientific value of their publications. The scholarship was used for participation in the Advanced International Course on Integrated Pest and Disease Management in Protected Crops, organized by the Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CHIEAM) in Zaragoza (Spain) from June 12 to 23, 2000.

Subject Expert (19.06.2000) for the disciplines of the Agricultural Entomology sector.

Research Fellow at the University of Catania from 2001 to 2005 at the Department of Plant Health Sciences and Technologies of the University of Catania.

Post-graduate specialization and advanced training scholarship awarded by the University of Catania, carried out at the Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario, La Alberca, Murcia, Spain (October - December 2002).

Researcher from February 2006 for the SC Plant Pathology and Entomology, SSD AGR/11 General and Applied Entomology, at the University of Catania.

Professor at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment of the University of Catania from 2006 to 2021.

Author and Co-author of 75 publications on general and applied entomology in national and international journals (Scopus id: 7004185537; n. works 36; cit. 507; h-index 12) and 13 chapters in international volumes published by scientific publishing houses.

In the sixth session of the 2021/2023 National Scientific Qualification (ASN) (ASN DD call no. 553 of 2.2.2021) with the decree of the Ministry of University and Research no. 25346 of November 21, 2023, he obtained the national scientific qualification for the role of associate professor in the SC Plant Pathology and Entomology sector.

Associate Professor at the University of Catania, Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment from December 10, 2024, in the S.S.D. AGRI 05/A General and Applied Entomology

Teaching Activity

From A.Y. 2005-06 to 2009-10, lecturer in Agricultural Zoology (3CFU, 24 hours) and Agricultural Parasitology (4.5CFU, 45 hours) in the Degree Course in Tropical and Subtropical Agricultural Sciences - Ragusa location (6CFU).

A.Y. 2010-11, lecturer in Agricultural Parasitology (4.5CFU, 45 hours) and Methods of Protection of Tropical and Subtropical Crops (3CFU, 60 hours) in the Degree Course in Tropical and Subtropical Agricultural Sciences - Ragusa location.

From A.Y. 2011-12 to 2020-21, lecturer in Entomological Biotechnologies (6CFU, 60 hours) in the Master's Degree Course in Agricultural Biotechnologies – Catania location.

A.Y. 2024-25, lecturer in Biotechnologies and Arthropods (6 CFU, 56 hours) in the Degree Course in Biotechnologies at the Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences - Catania location.

As part of the activity of supervisor of bachelor's and master's theses, he has been tutor of 24 compilation theses and 10 experimental theses.

Scientific Responsibility and/or Participation as a Member in International and National Research Projects, Admitted to Funding Based on Competitive Bids that Provide for Peer Review

• Project of the Regional Department of Agricultural and Food Resources entitled "Innovative methodologies for the fight against citrus tristeza" U.O. of the University of Catania, GESA Department. – O.R. 4: Methods for containing the aphid vectors of Citrus Tristeza. Duration 31 months
• PON project “Research and Innovation 2014-2020” – POFACS (ARS01_00640) Shelf life, quality and safety of high-service content fruit and vegetable products – O.R. 3: Eco-sustainable defense solutions against Tuta absoluta and Bemisia tabaci. Duration 36 months
• COSOFI project (Eco-sustainable control strategies for economically important phytophages) - University Research Incentive Plan 2020-2022 (PIA.Ce.Ri.). Duration 24 months
• PON project “Research and Innovation” 2014-2020 – Improvement of Mediterranean agri-food productions in water scarcity conditions - WATER4AGRIFOOD", project code ARSOI_00825 - Task 6: Influence of water stress on phytophage-plant-entomophage interactions and effects on infestations of key crop phytophages. Duration 36 months
• Italy-Tunisia 2014-2020 Cross-Border Cooperation Program. PROMETEO project RefC-5-2-1-36 "A cross-border village to protect Mediterranean tree crops by sharing knowledge”. Duration 24 months
• LIFE18 CCA/ES/001109 project - LIFE VIDA FOR CITRUS "Development of sustainable control strategies for citrus under threat of climate change & preventing entry of HLB in EU. Duration 48 months
• Italy-Tunisia 2014-2020 Cross-Border Cooperation Program. INTEMAR project “Surveillance et characterization de nouveaux maladie. GT3: Innovations dans la lutté intégrée contre les ravaugeurs et maladies racemment introduits sur cultures marachéres. Duration 24 months
• PRIN 2002 - Study of Italian biotypes of the citrus tristeza virus (CTV), after inoculation and transmission by vectors, using different techniques to ascertain their virulence and characterization of tospoviruses and geminiviruses. Duration 24 months
• PRIN 2007 - Mechanical distribution of natural enemies in protected and field crops on horticultural and ornamental crops. Duration 24 months
• PRIN 2014 - Long Life, High Sustainability - Shelf-Life Extension as a sustainability indicator. Duration 24 months
• COST 2015-2019 Action FP1406: Pine pitch canker - strategies for management of Gibberella circinata in greenhouses and forests (PINESTRENGTH) - WG-2/Task 4 Interactions with other forest pests and pathogens. Duration 48 months
• “Soybean research 2017-2019" project funded by United Soybean Boards, Illinois Soybean Association, North Central Soybean Research Program, USDA USA, Agricultural research service and Integrated management of soybean pathogens and pests. Duration 24 months
• Horizon 2020 project - Emerging viral diseases in tomato and cucurbits: implementation of mitigation strategies for durable disease management (VIRTIGATION) - Grant agreement n. 101000570. Duration 48 months
• PRIN 2022 - "Bio-inspired Plant Protection (BiPP)", as an expert for the recognition of entomological species. Duration 24 months
• Innovative Actions for the Productivity of the Quality Fruit and Vegetable District – INNOVAPROD”, under “Innovative Actions for the Productivity of the Quality Fruit and Vegetable District” Action 1.3.2 ADDENDUM Local Action Plan (PAL) “Eloro

Scientific Responsibility for Agreements Between Public and/or Private Entities

• Scientific Director of third-party research for DowAgroSciences, titled "Efficacy of sulfoxaflor on the main phytophagous insects of horticultural crops (solanaceous and cucurbitaceous) in Sicily and study on possible secondary effects on pollinating insects" from 14.09.2014 to 13.09.2015.
• Scientific Director of third-party research for DowAgroSciences, titled "Efficacy of sulfoxaflor on Aleirodid species of the Bemisia tabaci group on tomatoes in protected cultivation in Sicily" from 15.09.2015 to 31.08.2016.
• Scientific Director of third-party research for AlphaBio Control (United Kingdom), titled "Use of bioinsecticides for the control of Rhynchota Hemiptera," which required the evaluation of the insecticidal action of a new molecule from 20.04.2017 to 20.10.2017.
• Scientific Director of third-party research for DowAgroSciences, titled "Secondary effects of sulfoxaflor on Nesidiocoris tenuis, Macrolophus pygmaeus and Orius laevigatus, natural antagonists of Bemisia tabaci" from 19.10.2018 to 20.10.2019.
• Scientific Director of third-party research for Corteva, titled "Studies on the effects of different active ingredients and application strategies on Bemisia tabaci in protected tomato crops" from 1.9.2023 to 31.12.2023.

Organization and Participation in Scientific Conferences in Italy or Abroad

• Member of the Organizing Committee and member of the Citrus working group of the III International Conference on Integrated Control in Citrus Fruit Crops - IOBC/WPRS, held in Catania, Italy from 5 to 7 November.
• Member of the Organizing Committee and member of the staff for the editorial organization of the proceedings (from 1.09.2006 to 30.12.2008) of the XXXVII Italian National Congress of Biogeography (SIB) held in Catania from 7 to 10 October 2008.
• Member of the Organizing Committee from 1 September 2005 to 15 July 2009 as organizing secretary and coordinator of the 8th International Symposium on Aphids - Catania (Italy) 8-12 June 2009.
• Invited speaker at the specialist course for Phytosanitary Inspectors and Agents organized by the Regional Department of Agricultural and Environmental Resources of the Sicilian Region with a topic titled "Psyllids, Whiteflies and Aphids of feared introduction: biology and recognition of insects of Phytosanitary interest" - Acireale (Catania) 20.1.2013.
• Invited speaker at the closing conference of the project funded by the Sicilian Region "Control of the citrus tristeza virus: development and innovation" with a topic titled "Methods of containing aphid vectors of Citrus Tristeza" and another titled "Vectors of harmful organisms of feared introduction." Catania, 23.6.2014
• Invited speaker at the round table on "Insect vectors of phytopathogenic agents" organized by the Italian National Academy of Entomology - Florence, 14 November 2014. Title of the report: Vectors of citrus diseases: current state of knowledge and emerging problems from 14-15.11.2014.
• Invited speaker at the National Conference organized by the Italian Plant Protection Association "National Phytosanitary Balance of Citrus Fruits" with a topic titled "New phytophagous insects of recent or feared introduction" - Corigliano Calabro (Cosenza) 20.02.2018.
• Invited speaker at the Conference "Phytosanitary Innovations: Integrated Defense for the Sustainable Use of Pesticides", Metaponto (MT), 12 February 2019 organized by the Basilicata Region. Title of the report "Citrus fruits: phytosanitary management of new plants", 12.02.2019.
• Invited speaker by the European consortium "PreHLB - Preventing HLB epidemics for ensuring citrus survival in Europe" organizer of the Conference "State of the art and interventions for the prevention of the introduction and spread of HLB in Italy" (9.5.2022) titled "HLB insect vectors: possibilities of acclimatization in Italy and recognition for early identification", Catania, 09.05.2022.
• Invited speaker at the technical meeting organized by the Regional Plant Disease Observatory and the OP "Viva di Natura" on "Aleurocanthus spiniferus in Sicily", Caltagirone, 23.11.2023.
• Invited speaker Organized by AIPP/Phytopathological Days titled "Aleurocanthus spiniferus: a brief history of an invasion", Remote report, February 2, 2024.
• Invited speaker at the seminar organized by the National Association of Nursery Exporters titled "Aleurocanthus spiniferus conquering Europe?", Remote report, June 18, 2024.
• Invited speaker at the seminar organized by CREA OFA of Acireale titled "Containment strategies for old and new phytophagous insects in citrus groves and the impact of climate change", Acireale, 20 October 2024.
• Invited speaker at the Training and Updating Course organized by the National College of Agricultural Experts and Graduate Agricultural Experts - Interprovincial of Catania-Siracusa on "Strategies 26/10/2024 from 08.30 to 13.30 at the NH hotel - Piazza Trento - Catania in order to address the issue concerning "Containment strategies for old and new phytophagous insects following the impact of climate change on the biocenosis in the citrus agro-ecosystem".

Other Qualifications and Professional Experiences Characterized by Research Activities and Institutional and Organizational Services

• Member of the teaching staff of the doctoral research program in "Tropical and Subtropical Agricultural Sciences and Technologies" University of Catania, Ragusa branch from 1.1.2008 to 31.12.2008.
• Member of the teaching staff of the doctoral research program in "Tropical and Subtropical Agricultural Sciences and Technologies" University of Catania, Ragusa branch from 1.1.2009 to 31.12.2009.
• Member of the teaching staff of the international doctoral research program called "Phytosanitary technologies and defense of agroecosystems" University of Catania from 1.1.2010 to 31.12.2010.
• Member of the teaching staff of the doctoral research program called "Phytosanitary technologies and defense of agroecosystems" University of Catania from 1.1.2011 to 31.12.2011.
• Member of the teaching staff of the doctoral research program called "Phytosanitary technologies and defense of agroecosystems" University of Catania from 1.1.2012 to 31.12.2012.

Last edit: 03/13/2025