Teaching code

4S02740

Teacher

Lorenzo Tonina

Credits

3

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

AGR/11 - GENERAL AND APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY

Period

II semestre dal Mar 4, 2019 al Jun 14, 2019.

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars 0

To show the organization of the course that includes this module, follow this link:  Course organization

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide the basics on the biology of the main arthropods pests (insects and mites) of the grapevine, on their interactions with the crop and the related control methods. Particular attention will be given to the study of biotechnologies applied to the vineyard Integrated Pest Management (IPM), considering also the biological control.
At the end of the course, the student must demonstrate to be able to know and diagnose the arthropods pest (insects and mites) in the vineyard and to develop rational and eco-friendly control strategies.

Program

Arthropods: characteristics and classification. Elements of morphology, physiology and ethology of insect and mite pests in the vineyards. Nervous, digestive, respiratory, circulatory, excretory, reproductive, endocrine system of insects. Reproduction and development. Relationships between insects and other organisms. Transmission of pathogenic microorganisms and viruses.
Insects: biology, harmfulness, and control of the main pest species of economic interest in viticulture (eg moths, phylloxera, leafhoppers, scale insects, thrips). Minor phytophagous grapevine pests.
Acari: Notes on biology, ecology, and harmfulness of phytophagous mites in the vineyards.
Control methods: thresholds and intervention criteria. Biological and integrated control methods against the arthropod pests of the grapevine.
Insecticides: general information, legislation, methods of use. Impact of plant protection products on biocenosis: effects on non-target organisms, resistance, induced phytophagous. Complementary control methods: agronomic, physical. Legislative references. Biotechnologies applied to the grapevine protection: pheromones definition and applications, mass trapping, RNAi, sterile male technique.
Agroecology: use of hedgerows, green manure, permanent grass to increase functional biodiversity in the vineyard.
Knowledge and comprehension skills will be developed essentially through lectures, laboratory exercises and personal study on the university texts indicated and on the material presented in the lectures which will be retrievable in journals/texts present in the Library and/or uploaded on the e-learning platform of University.
Furthermore, during the whole academic year, the individual reception service managed by the teacher will be available (set by a specific appointment).
Attending students will receive at the first lesson the complete calendar of educational activities with the dates and topics covered in the lessons, and the indication of the possible suspension for academic reasons of the teacher.

Examination Methods

Assessment of learning outcomes will take place through oral examination in the form of questions for both attending and non-attending students. The objective of the test is to assess the student's ability in:
- recognize an insect/symptom (from live samples or from images) studied in class and to describe its cycle and control strategy;
- develop the topics covered in the course.
The depth and breadth of the knowledge acquired and the ability to connect knowledge in a systemic and critical form will also be evaluated.
The oral exam will potentially cover all the topics of the program. The final evaluation is expressed in thirtieths.
To determine the overall grade of the exam, the weighted average of the scores obtained in the two modules will be calculated.