PLANT PATHOPHYSIOLOGY ARTHROPODS AND BIOTECHNOLOGY

Module ARTHROPODS AND BIOTECHNOLOGY

The course aims to provide basic knowledge on Arthropods of agricultural, food, and manufacturing interest. Furthermore, all topics concerning the application of biotechnologies in the field of controlling species harmful to health, agricultural production and its derivatives, species identification, and the safeguarding of the environment and biodiversity will be covered.

Knowledge and understanding. The student will have the opportunity to learn about the main groups of Arthropods, acquire the most appropriate scientific terminology related to the subject, and understand the main biotechnological methodologies applied to the study of these organisms.

Applying knowledge and understanding. Thanks to the basic knowledge acquired, the student will be able to organize and deepen the topics covered to apply them to the study of biotechnological techniques and their application potential.

Autonomy of judgements. The course and the way the lessons are conducted aim to transmit to students the ability to evaluate information and develop critical thinking, transferring these skills to the professional world to make informed and authoritative decisions.

Communication skills. Students will develop correct technical-scientific terminology in the field of Biotechnologies applied to Arthropods of agricultural, food, and manufacturing interest, improving their capacity for adaptation and communication in various work, social contexts, and within work groups.

Learning skills. The course intends to provide continuous updates on the evolution of biotechnologies applied to the study of Arthropods. This represents a fundamental point for the student's scientific growth, as it is based on learning a stimulating and future-oriented subject.

The course is held through 35 hours of frontal lectures and 15 hours of laboratory activities.

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students may request a personal consultation to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, based on the educational objectives and specific needs. It is also possible to contact the CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Inclusion - Services for Disabilities and/or SLDs) reference lecturer within the Department.

To better understand the contents of the course, it would be beneficial to possess basic knowledge of animal biology.

Not obligatory, although recommended to facilitate the learning process and assessment of the student's preparation.

General characteristics of Hexapods and their applied interest.

Morphology. Head, thorax, abdomen, and appendages.

Anatomy. Integumentary system, nervous system, sensory system, digestive system, respiratory system, circulatory system, excretory system, secretory system, reproductive system.

Biology. Reproduction, communication, post-embryonic development, metamorphosis, polymorphism, aggregation, insect societies.

Ecology. Biological cycles, biotic potential and environment, population epidemiology, feeding regimes (or diets), plant-insect interaction, species dispersal (or spread), biodiversity.

Phylogeny, Systematics, and Nomenclature.

The Orders of Insects.

Mites (Gli Acari)

From Microscope to Metabarcoding.

Phytopathogenic agents transmitted by Arthropods.

Arthropods as vectors of animal parasites.

Communication in Arthropods: Semiochemicals.

Insects for food, feed, and waste.

Biotechnologies and the development of new insecticide molecules.

Pesticide resistance developed by insects.

Minelli A., Bologna M.A. (a cura di), 2023. Sistematica ed evoluzione degli esapodi. Entomologia – Collana dell’Accademia Nazionale Italiana di Entomologia, Liguori Editore, Napoli.

Tremblay E., 1985-2000. Entomologia applicata, vol. 1-7. Liguori Editore, Napoli.

All the slides projected during the lectures, as well as additional teaching notes and any supplementary bibliographic material, will be provided by the instructor through the "Studium" web platform.

Students may prepare a presentation on a topic of their choice from those covered during the course, supporting it with relevant scientific publications selected for their major scientific importance. At the end of the presentation, they will be asked questions on the subjects covered throughout the course.

As a summary of the activities described above, the evaluation of the preparation of individual students will be based on the following criteria: capacity for learning and level of depth of the topics covered, ability to synthesise and present information, and reasoning skills. 

The assigned final grade will follow the scheme below:

Not eligible

Important shortcomings, significant inaccuracies.

Frequent generalisations and insufficient ability to summarise.

Completely inappropriate.

18-20

At a threshold level, evident imperfections.

Barely sufficient ability.

Barely appropriate.

21-23

Sufficient knowledge.

Correct analysis and synthesis, with logical and coherent argumentation skills.

Use of standard references.

24-26

Fair/Good knowledge.

Good skills, with coherently expressed arguments.

Use of above-standard references.

27-29

Very good knowledge.

Relevant skills.

In-depth use of references.

30-30L (Cum Laude)

Excellent knowledge.

Outstanding skills.

Important in-depth use of references (significant additional study).

Systematic classification of insects and their relationship with other groups of arthropods.

Briefly describe the insect head and its appendages (antennae and mouthparts, the latter with reference to the chewing apparatus).

Briefly describe the insect thorax and its appendages.

Briefly describe the insect abdomen and its appendages (gonapophyses).

Exoskeleton and integument of insects: structure and functions.

Locomotor organs (wings and legs) of insects: form, structure, and functional modifications.

Briefly describe, possibly with the aid of a drawing, the chewing mouthparts (ectognathous and entognathous) of insects.

Briefly describe, possibly with the aid of a drawing, the asymmetrical piercing-sucking mouthpart of Thysanoptera (Thrips).

Briefly describe, possibly with the aid of a drawing, the piercing-sucking mouthpart of Hemiptera (Bugs).

Briefly describe, possibly with the aid of a drawing, the mouthparts of Lepidoptera (larvae and adults).

Briefly describe, possibly with the aid of a drawing, the lapping-sucking mouthpart of Muscid Diptera (House Flies).

Briefly describe, possibly with the aid of a drawing, the lapping-sucking mouthpart of Culicid Diptera (Mosquitoes).

The insect nervous system: anatomy and physiology (with specific mention of nerve impulse transmission mechanisms).

The insect digestive system: anatomy and physiology.

The insect circulatory system: anatomy and physiology.

The insect respiratory system: anatomy and physiology.

The insect excretory system: anatomy and physiology.

The insect secretory system: anatomy and physiology (with particular reference to endocrine secretion and the hormones involved in post-embryonic development).

The insect reproductive system: anatomy and physiology.

Complete and incomplete metamorphosis in insects: significance and examples.

The post-embryonic development of insects: physiology and hormones involved.

Vector insects and mechanisms of pathogen transmission.

Entomopathogenic viruses: biological characteristics, categories, and potential use for controlling harmful insects.

Entomopathogenic fungi: biological characteristics, categories, and potential use for controlling harmful insects.

Entomopathogenic bacteria: biological characteristics, categories, and potential use for controlling harmful insects.

Entomophagous insects: behaviours and applied possibilities for controlling harmful insects.

The use of pheromones for the biotechnical control of harmful insects: practical applications of aggregation, dispersal, and sexual pheromones.

Physical and mechanical control methods for harmful insects.

Commercial formulations of insecticides and their composition

Biotechnologies and the development of new insecticide molecules

Pesticide resistance developed by insects

Methods of insect identification