ARTHROPOD PEST MANAGEMENT IN MEDITERRANEAN CROPS

12 CFU - 1° Semester

Teaching Staff

GAETANO SISCARO - Module SUSTAINABLE PEST MANAGEMENT - AGR/11 - 6 CFU
CARMELO RAPISARDA - Module INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF ARTHROPOD PESTS - AGR/11 - 6 CFU

Learning Objectives

SUSTAINABLE PEST MANAGEMENT
The course aims to provide general knowledge on biocenotic interactions of animal species in natural and agricultural ecosystems as well as on the main biocontrol agents of plant pests; moreover the course provides theoretical and practical concepts on natural enemies rearing as well as on their field application strategies
INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF ARTHROPOD PESTS
The course aims to provide students with advanced knowledge on the ecological role and on the harmfulness of insect pests of applied interest and provide methodological skills for the implementation of control strategies to be applied against these noxious organisms in the main agro-ecosystems occurring in the Mediterranean area.

Course Structure

SUSTAINABLE PEST MANAGEMENT
The didactic objectives will be achieved through class lectures conducted with digital didactic aids 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.
INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF ARTHROPOD PESTS
The course is carried out through theoretical lectures and exercises, both in laboratory and in the field. For some topics, in-depth seminars will be organized.

Detailed Course Content

SUSTAINABLE PEST MANAGEMENT
1. Concepts on the population dynamics of arthropod pests and their natural enemies in natural and agricultural ecosystems
2. Recognition and biology of the major groups of entomophagous arthropods and entomopathogenic agents
3. Rearing techniques of entomophagous arthropods and their application in crop protection
4. Microbiological control: application of viruses, bacteria, fungi and entomopathogenic nematodes
5. Autocidal control: sterile insect technique (SIT), insect chemo-sterilizers
6. Basic principles of agro-ecology: ecological infrastructures; habitat management for enhancing the functional biodiversity in agroecosystems
7. Natural control and biological control strategies in the main agro-ecosystems: citrus orchard, vineyard, olive grove, fruit trees, open field and protected vegetables
INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF ARTHROPOD PESTS
Principles and application of integrated pest management methodologies in the main Mediterranean agro-ecosystems, with specific reference to integrated strategies for the control of insect species in the following crop systems:
1. Citrus groves;
2. Olive groves;
3. Vineyards;
4. Fruit orchards (pome fruits and stone fruits);
5. Vegetable crops (open field and protected);
6. Cereal systems;
7. Grain and forage legumes systems.

Textbook Information

SUSTAINABLE PEST MANAGEMENT
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)
INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF ARTHROPOD PESTS
1. BACCETTI B., BARBAGALLO S., SÜSS L., TREMBLAY E., 2000. Manuale di Zoologia Agraria. Delfino Editore, Roma.

2. PENNACCHIO F. 2014. Gli insetti e il loro controllo. Liguori Editore, Napoli.

3. 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.

Open in PDF format Versione in italiano