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AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST ENTOMOLOGY AND ZOOLOGY
PAOLA RIOLO

Seat Agraria
A.A. A.A. 2016-2017
Credits 9
Hours 81
Period 2^ semestre
Language ENG
U-gov code STA 3A477

Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of general biology, botany and chemistry.

 

Development of the course

The didactic method is based on ppt lectures (6 ECTS) (provided in copies to the students), laboratory experiences and guided tours, mainly in farms and structures for the processing of agricultural products, will be organized in order to better understanding what the students have learned in class (3 ECTS). The course will be also available through an e-learning version using the Moodle platform. Within this platform, the course will be divided into: (i) teaching materials composed by different learning units; (ii) self-assessment tests; (iii) laboratory exercises and guided tour information and reservations.

 

Learning outcomes

Knowledge. The course enables students to acquire the fundamental knowledge about the biology and damages of the most important pests, as well as on integrated pest management strategies against them with a reduced environmental impact view.

 

Applying knowledge and understanding. The main aim of this course is to provide a fully development ability of the students in recognizing the most important arthropods and animal parasites, their different symptoms on plants taking into account both different mouthparts and ovipositors that produced them in order to adopt sustainable and environmentally friendly strategies of pest control .

 

Cross-expertise. (i) making judgements: capability of identify the information needed to manage the pests in a agroecosystem; (ii) communications: capability of clearly and exhaustively communicate notions, ideas, problems and technical solutions to interlocutors, either professional or not, representative of the various and specific expertise in the agroecosystem (engineer, architect, administrator, etc.).

Program

1. Course presentation. General Entomology: introduction to arthropods. External structure and function: head and its appendages; different types of mouthparts associated to damages caused by insects; thorax and its appendages; abdomen and its appendages (2 ECTS).

2. Internal structure and function: exoskeleton; nervous system and sensory organs, digestive system, circulatory system, respiratory system, excretory system, endocrine system, reproductive system. Insect growth and development: egg, growth and metamorphosis. Reproductive strategies. Quiescence and diapause. Insect-plant relationship (2 ECTS).

3. Insect-Plant Interactions. Insect ecology and their impact on the agroecosystem. Plants predisposition to infestation. Primary and secondary phytophagous. Methods of pest population assessment and damage thresholds. Description and evaluation of the damage caused by leaf-feeders, fruit-feeders, sap-feeders, bark-feeders and borers on plants. Direct and indirect control methodologies (biological, chemical and integrated). Dissertation on main pests of the various agroecosystems (3 ECTS).

4. Taxonomy, phylogeny and systematics of the main zoological groups of agricultural interest: Pulmonate Gastropods, Mites and Nematodes (2 ECTS).

Development of the examination

Learning evaluation methods

Oral discussion on three of the subjects listed in the teaching program. During the course, there are also going to be available self-evaluation tests (e-learning mode), in order to provide the students useful information about their skill level.

 

Learning evaluation criteria

In the oral classwork, the student will have to demonstrate: (i) knowledge of the identification of the main insect pests and zoophagous; (ii) knowledge of the morphological and anatomical pest structures; (iii) life cycle, damages and control strategies of the major pests. To pass the oral exam, the student must demonstrate an overall understanding of the content using appropriate technical terminology, and to be able to deal with deductive reasoning that enable him to create links within matter, and to have a complete mastery of the subject.

 

Learning measurement criteria

The final mark is attributed in thirtieths. Successful completion of the examination will lead to grades ranging from 18 to 30 “cum laude”.

 

Final mark allocation criteria

The oral examination consists of three questions concerning the subjects listed in the program, each of ones will be quantified in the range 0 - 10. The degree of 30 “cum laude” is attributed when the student demonstrates complete mastery of the subject.

 

Recommended reading

1. Gullan P.J., Cranston P.S., 2010. “The Insects – An outline of Entomology”, 4th ed.. Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford.

2. Fiori G., Bin F., Sensidoni A., 1983. “Atlante entomologico - morfologia esterna”. Galeno Editrice, Perugia.

3. Pollini A., 1988. “Manuale di Entomologia applicata”, Edagricole, Bologna.

4. Zangheri S., Pellizzari Scaltriti, 1988. “Parassitologia animale dei vegetali”. CLEUP, Padova.

 

 

Tutorial session

 

Tuesday and Thursday from 3 pm to 6 pm.

 

Courses

• C.L.T. - Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie Curriculum TECNOLOGIE AGRARIE (STA - TA)
• C.L.T. - Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie Curriculum VITICOLTURA ED ENOLOGIA (STA - VE)