Applied Entomology and Plant Pathology

Learning Objectives

• Plant Pathology

  This course will provide to the students the basic knowoledge on plant pathology with special emphasis on disease diagnostic, epidemiology and sustainable control methods to prevent plant diseases or to reduce their impacts.

• ENTOMOLOGIA E PARASSITOLOGIA AGRARIA GENERALE

  The course aims to provide students with the basic knowledge on morphology, biology and physiology of insects and other harmful animal organisms, with specific reference to the systematic groups of main applied interest, for which they will also have to develop basic skills in the evaluation of harmful effects on cultivated plants and their products and in the application of environmentally friendly means of control to reduce their infestations.

Course Structure

• Plant Pathology

  Frontal lessons and practical exercises in classroom and in lab.

  As a guarantee of equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students can ask for a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on their specific needs and on teaching objectives of the discipline.
  It is also possible to ask the departmental contacts of CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or DSAs), in the persons of professors Giovanna Tropea Garzia and Anna De Angelis.

• ENTOMOLOGIA E PARASSITOLOGIA AGRARIA GENERALE

  The course is carried out through 35 hours of lectures (in class or remote) and 14 hours of exercises (where possible also in the field).

  If teaching is given in a mixed formula or remotely, necessary changes may be introduced to what was previously stated in order to comply with the provided and reported syllabus.

  As a guarantee of equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students can ask for a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on their specific needs and on teaching objectives of the discipline. It is also possible to ask the departmental contacts of CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or DSAs), in the persons of professors Giovanna Tropea Garcia and Anna De Angelis.

Detailed Course Content

• Plant Pathology

  Introduction and social impact of plant pathology. Types of diseases. The life-cycle of a disease and epidemiology. Diagnosis. Koch' postulates. Control strategies. Basic elements to formulate a correct diagnosis and application of acquired knowledge for the analysis of specific disease cases. Laboratory training for the different plant pathogens.

• ENTOMOLOGIA E PARASSITOLOGIA AGRARIA GENERALE

  Morphology, anatomy and physiology of insects

  1. General characteristics of insects and their applied interest.
  2. External morphology: head, thorax, abdomen and their appendages.
  3. Elements of anatomy and physiology of insects: tegumental system; nervous system; sensory system; digestive system; respiratory system; circulatory system; excretory system; secretory system; reproductive system; postembryonic development; physiology of metamorphosis.

  Biological behavior and relations with the environment (insect ecology).

  1. Specific and collective manifestations: dimorphism and polymorphism; aggregation and society; biological cycles; biotic potential and environment; epidemiology of populations; biological balance; spread of species.

  2. Damage to insects: direct and indirect damage; pathogens transmission; damage thresholds.

  Means and methods of control of insects

  1. Agronomic or cultural means.
  2. Physical and mechanical means.
  3. Biological control: entomophagous and entomopathogenic; classical biological control techniques; microbiological control; biotechnologies.
  4. Chemical control: insecticides and their mode of action; commercial formulations and active ingredients; secondary effects of antiparasitic treatments.
  5. Principles of supervised and integrated control.

  Notions of entomological systematics and knowledge of the main orders of Insects

  Collembola
  Thysanura
  Odonata
  Blattodea
  Mantodea
  Isoptera
  Dermaptera
  Orthoptera
  Mallophaga
  Anoplura
  Thysanoptera
  Hemiptera
  Lacewing
  Lepidoptera
  Diptera
  Aphaniptera
  Coleoptera
  Hymenoptera

  Overview of other groups of animal organisms harmful to plants

  1. Nematodes: systematic classification, morphology, anatomy and biology; damage and economic importance; control methods.
  2. Mites: systematic classification, morphology, anatomy and biology; damage and economic importance; control methods.
  3. Rodents: systematic classification, morphology, anatomy and biology; damage and economic importance; control methods.

Textbook Information

• Plant Pathology

  G.N. Agrios, 2005. Plant Pathology: 5th Edition Hardcover

• ENTOMOLOGIA E PARASSITOLOGIA AGRARIA GENERALE

  1. BACCETTI B., BARBAGALLO S., SÜSS L. & TREMBLAY E., 2000. Manuale di Zoologia Agraria. Delfino Editore, Roma.

  2. TREMBLAY E., 1985-2000. Entomologia applicata, voll. 1-7. Liguori Editore, Napoli.

  All the slides projected in class, as well as additional didactic notes and eventual bibliographic material for further information will be provided by the teacher through the "Studium" web platform.