FOOD PATHOLOGY AND PARASITOLOGY

Module STORED FOOD PESTS

Knowledge and understanding

The course aims to provide knowledge on the bioetological aspects of the main groups of animal pests, essential to define the most appropriate programs of management and control of infestations of the territorial foodstuffs. In particular, students will acquire theoretical and practical knowledge on: i) elements of morphology, anatomy and physiology of insects, mites, rodents and birds; ii) impact on foodstuffs; iii) strategies for preventing infestations; iv) means of containing pest populations.

Applying knowledge and understanding

Through the acquisition of knowledge about the morphology and biology of animal pests, as well as their relations with foodstuffs, students will acquire useful elements to define effective strategies for the sustainable control of insects harmful to the food industry.

Making judgment

With the help of lectures, laboratory classes, company visits and workshops, students will acquire full autonomy in the knowledge of food pests, developing judgment autonomy for the choice of the most effective control methods.

Communication skills

The student will be able to communicate with others in the appropriate technical language the notions on protection programs of agri-food production, with particular attention to the methods of prevention, monitoring and control of pests.

Learning skills

The purpose of the assessment is to verify the ability of the student to deal with problems related to the protection of foodstuffs from animal infestations, identifying appropriate control techniques and their impact on the health of foodstuffs.

The teaching also provides the student with the necessary indications and suggestions to allow him to address similar topics to continue higher-level university studies.

The course will comprise classes (n. 28 hrs), laboratory and field training (n. 28 hrs) (traditional classes or online courses)

Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.

Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, should the conditions require it.

Information for students with disabilities and/or DSA.
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 Inclusion - Services for Disabilities and/or DSAs).

Introduction: foodstuffs and damage caused by animal parasites.
Arthropods: general characteristics.
Insects: morphology, anatomy and postembryonic development. Population development and damage.
Mites: morphology, anatomy, postembryonic development. Population development and damage.
Rodents: General characteristics. Murids: morphology, anatomy, development. Population development
and damage.
The main insect orders
Stored product insect pests
Ecology of biocenosis living on foodstuffs
Animal organisms as vectors of pathogens for humans and pets
Prevention of infestations
Pest monitoring techniques
Control methods: physical, biological, biotechnical and chemical tools

1. Süss L. & Locatelli D.P. I parassiti delle derrate. Calderini Edagricole, Bologna, 2001, 363 pp. (ISBN: 978-88-206-4614-1)

2. Trematerra P. - Süss L. 2007. Prontuario di entomologia merceologica e urbana. Con note morfologiche, biologiche e di gestione delle infestazioni. Aracne Editrice, (ISBN: 978-88-548-1195-9)

3. Trematerra P. 2016 Entomologia urbana applicata. Aracne Editrice, (ISBN: 978-88-548-9143-2)

4. Belcari A., Macchione P., Gianchecchi U., Bacciotti D., Nencetti A., Rossi, 2012. Gestione integrata degli animali infestanti nelle industrie alimentari, ISBN 978-88- 6655-104-1 (print), ISBN 978-88-6655-110-2 (online), © 2012 Firenze University Press

5. Hagstrum D.W. E Subramanyam B. Fundamentals of stored-product entomology. AACC, St. Paul, Minnesota. 2006. 323 pp.

Two in itinere tests are reserved for students who have reached a minimum of 60% of attendance at classes. The first will take place around the middle of the course and will cover the general part of the programme; the second will take place at the end of the course and will cover the applied part of the programme. The evaluation will be done in thirtieths. It will be necessary to obtain at least the sufficiency in both tests in order to consider the module passed. The teacher would ask further questions in a final talk in order to verify the specific knowledge and skills acquired by the student.

The verification of learning can also be carried out electronically, if the conditions require it.

The candidate describes the body morphology of insects

The candidate illustrates the morphology and anatomy of mites

The candidate illustrates the life-cycle of cereal weevils

The candidate discusses the physical means of control