1015613 - ARTHROPOD PEST MANAGEMENT IN MEDITERRANEAN CROPS
Modulo 1015615 - INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF ARTHROPOD PESTS

1) Knowledge and understanding: The course aims at providing advanced knowledge on the ecological role and harmfulness of key insect pests of the major Mediterranean crops. The main sustainable integrated management strategies specific for each key insect pest of the Mediterranean environment are also provided.

2) Applying knowledge and understanding: Students will be able to recognize the key insect pest and their damage, as well as to develop specific integrated and sustainable control strategies against them.

3) Making judgements: With the help of lectures, laboratory training, field visits and seminars, students will acquire full autonomy in the analysis of insect infestations in the agricultural field, developing the capacity to judgment for the choice of the most suitable and modern control measures.

4) Communication skills: Through the reading of scientific articles and participation in seminars to complete some topics, but above all through the realization, at the end of the course, of thematic group studies with consequent presentation of the relative results, students will develop a correct technical-scientific terminology in the field of entomological biotechnologies as well as the ability to work and communicate in groups, also through the simulation of interactions in the workplace.

5) Learning skills: The course will contribute to the development of skills and autonomy of analysis useful for the development of 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.

The course will be delivered by a 1/3% of lectures and 2/3 % of laboratory group activities, bibliographic searches, scientific paper discussions and seminars.

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.

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 ask the departmental contacts of CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Integration- Services for Disabilities and/or DSAs) of the department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).

General and applied Entomology basics are needed; whereas basic knowledge on agronomy and pesticide toxicology and applications is important to achieve the learning objectives of the course.

Concepts and applications of specific integrated pest management strategies, with focus on the control of key arthropod pests of the main Mediterranean agro-ecosystems:

(1) Citrus (Pezothrips kellyanus, Aleurothrixus floccosus, Aphis spiraecola, Toxoptera aurantii, A. gossypii, Planococcus citri, Aonidiella aurantii, Phyllocnistis citrella, Ceratitis capitata);

(2) Olive (Saissetia oleae, Prays oleae, Zeuzera pyrina, Bactrocera oleae);

(3) Grape (Frankliniella occidentalis; Leafhoppers; Planococcus ficus; Lobesia botrana);

(4) Pome and stone fruits (Disaphys plantaginea, Cacopsylla pyri, Quadraspidiotus perniciosus, Archips rosanus, Cydia pomonella, Yponomeuta malinellus, Cossus cossus, Zeuzera pyrina, Stone fruit aphids, Frankliniella occidentalis, Quadraspidiotus perniciosus, Pseudaulacaspis pentagona, Cydia molesta,Anarsia lineatella, Capnodis tenebrionis, Rhagoletis cerasi, Ceratitis capitata, Drosophila suzukii);

(5) Protected vegetables (Aphids, Frankliniella occidentalis; Trialeurodes vaporariorium; Bemisia tabaci; Spodoptera littoralis; Tuta absoluta);

Moreover, (6) a part of the course will be focused on exotic invasive insect pests at high risk of introduction.

1. Alford D V (2013) Pests of Fruit Crops: A Colour Handbook. CRC Press

2. Bostanian NJ, Vincent C, Isaacs R (2012) Arthropod Management in Vineyards: Pests, Approaches, and Future Directions. Springer Science & Business Media.

3. Ciancio A, Mukerji KG (2010) Integrated management of arthropod pests and insect borne diseases. Springer Science & Business Media.

4. Hulme PE (2009) Handbook of alien species in Europe (Vol. 569). Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer.

5. Kogan M, Jepson PC (2007) Perspectives in ecological theory and integrated pest management. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

6. Radcliffe EB, Hutchison WD, Cancelado RE (2009) Integrated pest management: concepts, tactics, strategies and case studies. Cambridge University Press.

All the slides used during lectures, as well as any additional documents will be provided by the teacher through the "Studium" web system.

The exam is composed by two main steps: an intermediate exam during the class period and another after the class end. The first is represented by a talk given in English, by a single student or by a small group of students, on a selected topic previously agreed with the professor. The final exam is an individual oral interview in which the student will discuss (i) about one of the scientific paper chosen by the student among those discussed during classes, (ii) about the integrated insect pest control strategies in an agroecosystem selected by the student, and then (iii) reply to two specific questions asked by the professor.

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

For each evaluation step, the student will be evaluated according to five criteria:

- relevance of the answers according to the questions asked

- quality of answer content

- ability to link with other topics of the study program

- ability to report examples

- technical language quality and overall expressive capacity

The final score, that will be out of thirty, of the course will result from the medium scores of the two

tests.

The marks attributed will follow the following scheme:

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.

30-30L

Knowledge and understanding of the topic: Excellent.

Ability to analyze and synthesize: Remarkable.

Use of references: Important insights.

(i) Select and describe the state of the art, the aim, the main methods and results, as well as the conclusions of one of the scientific papers discussed during classes.

(ii) Select and describe the biology, ecology and integrated pest control strategies implemented against the key pests of one of the agro-ecosystems discussed during classes.

(iiia) Describe the biology, ecology and integrated pest control strategies implemented against the key pests of citrus.

(iiib) Describe the biology, ecology and integrated pest control strategies implemented against key leafminer pests

(iiia) Describe the biology, ecology and integrated pest control strategies implemented against the key pests of fruit crops.

(iiib) Describe the biology, ecology and integrated pest control strategies implemented against key scale insect pests.

(iiia) Describe the biology, ecology and integrated pest control strategies implemented against the key pests of protected vegetable crops.

(iiib) Describe the biology, ecology and integrated pest control strategies implemented against key aphid pests.