1015613 - ARTHROPOD PEST MANAGEMENT IN MEDITERRANEAN CROPS
Modulo 1015614 - BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF ARTHROPOD PESTS
Risultati di apprendimento attesi
1)
Knowledge and understanding
Aim
of the course is to provide general knowledge on multitrophic interactions
among plants, arthropod pests, and their biocontrol agents in natural and
agricultural ecosystems. Moreover, specific information on biology and rearing
methods of natural enemies as well as on biocontrol field strategies are
provided.
Students
will be able to recognize and exploit the main control agents of arthropod
pests in Mediterranean crops; also, they will acquire theoretical and practical
skills on field application of biological pest control strategies in
Mediterranean crops
2)
Applying knowledge and understanding
Through
the acquisition of knowledge on the biology of natural enemies and their interactions
with arthropod pests, along with the application methods of microbials agents
and habitat management strategies, students will acquire the skills to plan biological control strategies of arthropod pests in the main Mediterranean
crops.
3)
Making judgements
With
the help of lectures, laboratory exercises, field visits and seminars, students
will acquire full autonomy in the analysis of arthropod pest dynamics,
developing autonomy of judgment for the choice of the most effective and
sustainable biocontrol measures.
4) Communication skills
Through the reading of scientific articles and
participation to lectures and seminars, and particularly
by means of the preparation, as med term exam, of a thematic presentation in English
language, students will develop a correct use of technical-scientific terminology in
English in the field of biological control as well as the ability to work and
interact in groups.
5) Learning skills
The course will contribute to the development of
skills and autonomy of analysis useful to acquire skills in
carrying out research activities, especially aimed at finding scientifically
valid sources of information, the analysis of scientific results and the
preparation of the thesis, also preparing students for the continuation of higher-level
university studies.
Modalità di svolgimento dell'insegnamento
The didactic objectives will be achieved through classes conducted with digital tools and laboratory trainings. The laboratory activities focus on topics covered in theoretical lessons and on the analysis of case studies. In addition, technical field visits of multidisciplinary interest will be organized. The course is delivered by a 50% of classes and a 50% of laboratory and field training.
If teaching is given in a mixed or on-line mode, necessary changes may be introduced to what was previously stated in order to comply with the current syllabus.
Information for students with disabilities and / or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)
To guarantee equal opportunities and in compliance with the laws in force, interested students can ask for a personal interview to plan compensatory and / or relief measures, based on the didactic objectives and specific needs. It is also possible to contact the CInAP Disability Advisory Centre of our Department advisors Professors Giovanna Tropea Garzia e Anna De Angelis.
Prerequisiti richiesti
Knowledge on General Entomology is needed while on Applied Entomology is important to achieve the learning objectives of the course.
Frequenza lezioni
Attendance is not compulsory to hold exams, but it is strongly recommended to attend at least the 70% of the didactic activities.
Contenuti del corso
- Concepts on the population dynamics of arthropod pests and their natural enemies in natural and agricultural ecosystems
- Identification and biology of the major groups of entomopathogenic agents and entomophagous arthropods
- Virus (NPV - nuclear polyhedrosis virus, GV- granulosis virus)
- Fungi (Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauveria bassiana, Poecilomyces lilacinus)
- Bacteria (Bacillus thuringiensis)
- Nematodes (Steirnenema, Heterorhabdidis)
- Arthropods
- Mites (Phytoseidae: Phytoseiulus, Amblyseiulus, Typhlodromus, Phytoseius)
- Insects (Hemiptera Heteroptera: Pentatomidae, Anthocoridae, Miridae, Reduvidae, Nabidae; Neuroptera: Chrysopidae, Coniopterygidae; Diptera: Syrphidae, Cecidomyiidae, Tachinidae; Coleoptera: Carabidae, Staphylinidae, Coccinellidae; Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae, Braconidae, Scelionidae, Chalcididae, Encyrtidae, Eulophidae, Aphelinidae, Trichogrammatidae)
- Rearing techniques of entomophagous arthropods and their application in crop protection
- Microbiological control: application of viruses, bacteria, fungi and entomopathogenic nematodes
- Basic principles of agro-ecology: ecological infrastructures; habitat management for enhancing the functional biodiversity in agroecosystems
- Natural control and biological control strategies in the main agro-ecosystems: citrus orchard, vineyard, olive grove, fruit trees, open field and protected vegetables
Testi di riferimento
1. BELLOWS T.S. & FISHER T.W. (Ed.), 1999. Handbook of biological control: principles and applications of biological control. Academic Press (978-0-12-257305-7)
2. COPPING L.G. (Ed.) 2011. The manual of biocontrol agents: a world compendium. 4th Edition. BCPC Publ. (British Crop Production Council (978-1-901396-17-1)
3. FLINT M.L. & DREISTADT S.H., 1998. Natural enemies handbook: the illustrated guide to biological pest control. Univ. Calif. Div. Agric. Nat. Res. Publ.3386, University of California Press (978-1-879906-41-9)
4. HELYER N., BROWN K., CATTLIN N.D., 2014. Biological control in plant protection: a colour handbook, Second Edition CRC Press (978-1-84076-117-7)
Programmazione del corso
| Argomenti | Riferimenti testi | |
| 1 | Concepts on the population dynamics of arthropod pests and their natural enemies in natural and agricultural ecosystems | Book 1, Didactic material provided on STUDIUM website |
| 2 | Identification and biology of the major groups of entomophagous arthropods and entomopathogenic agents | Books 2, 3, 4, Didactic material provided on STUDIUM website |
| 3 | Rearing techniques of entomophagous arthropods and their application in crop protection | Book 1, Didactic material provided on STUDIUM website |
| 4 | Microbiological control: application of viruses, bacteria, fungi and entomopathogenic nematodes | Book 1, Didactic material provided on STUDIUM website |
| 5 | Basic principles of agro-ecology: ecological infrastructures; habitat management for enhancing the functional biodiversity in agroecosystems | Book 1, Didactic material provided on STUDIUM website |
| 6 | Natural control and biological control strategies in the main agro-ecosystems: citrus orchard, vineyard, olive grove, fruit trees, open field and protected vegetables | Book 1, 3, 4, Didactic material provided on STUDIUM website |
Verifica dell'apprendimento
Modalità di verifica dell'apprendimento
The learnig assessment is arranged in two parts: a test during the class period and another one after the class end. As regards the first one, a single student or a small group of students will give a presentation in English on a topic previously selected in agreement with the professor. The final test consists of an individual oral interview where the specific knowledge and skills gained by students will be evaluated. For each of the two tests, the evaluation will be out of thirty and will account of relevance, quality of content and exposition. In addition, students must demonstrate the ability to correlate different topics of the course.The final score of the course will result from the average scores of the two tests.
Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, should the conditions require it.
As a summary of
the above activities, the assessment of the preparation of individual students
will take place on the basis of the following criteria: learning ability and
level of depth of the topics covered, properties of synthesis and presentation,
reasoning skills. The marks will be assigned following the scheme below
Unsuitable
Knowledge and
understanding of the topic: Important shortcomings. Significant inaccuracies.
Ability to
analyze and synthesize: Irrelevant. Frequent generalizations. Inability to
synthesize.
Use of
references: Completely inappropriate.
18-20
Knowledge and
understanding of the topic: At the threshold level. Obvious imperfections.
Analysis and
synthesis skills: Just enough skills.
Use of
references: As appropriate.
21-23
Knowledge and
understanding of the topic: Routine knowledge.
Analysis and
synthesis skills: Correct analysis and synthesis, with logical and coherent
argumentation skills.
Use of
references: Use of standard references.
24-26
Knowledge and
understanding of the topic: Good.
Ability to
analyze and synthesize: Good, with arguments expressed consistently.
Use of
references: Use of standard references.
27-29
Knowledge and
understanding of the topic: More than good.
Ability to
analyze and synthesize: Remarkable.
Use of
references: In-depth.
30-30 and praise
Knowledge and
understanding of the topic: Excellent.
Ability to
analyze and synthesize: Remarkable.
Use of
references: Important insights.
Esempi di domande e/o esercizi frequenti
- Describe the main factors affecting the population dynamics of phytophagous arthropods in agro-ecosystems
- Describe the main morfological and biological traits of Coccinellidae
- Describe the morphological, biological and technical features of the imenopteran parasitoid Aphytis melinus and mirid predator Nesidiocoris tenuis
- Describe the main rearing methods of the main entomophages used in crop protection
- Describe the main available microbiological control agents and applications in Mediterranean agrosystems
- Describe examples of habitat management applications
- Describe organic control strategies in citrus and vineyards
English version