Entomologia generale:
The importance and diversity of insects. Factors for insect success. The antiquity of insects and their phylogeny. Principal evolutionary steps.
External morphology and internal anatomy and physiology.
Insect systematic.
Applied Entomology: Relations between our species and insects
Gullan & Cranston - Lineamenti di entomologia. Zanichelli.
Davies – Lineamenti di entomologia. Zanichelli.
Learning Objectives
Knowledge on the basis of entomology: adaptations of different insect groups to the environment and on the relationships between morphology and physiology. Evolutionary relationships among various insect orders. Impacts of insects on our species
Competence acquired:
Acquisition and use of a entomological terminology; basic tools for an autonomous classification of entomofaune. Knowledge on the forms and evolutionary processes leading the insect biodiversity.
Knowledge of negative or benefical impacts that some insect species have on our species.
Skills acquired (at the end of the course):
Autonomous capacity of recognize different insect orders; capacity of comparative observation of external morphology and capacity of insect dissection to observe the internal anatomy. In depth study of specific issues of applied entomology.
Prerequisites
Courses to be used as requirements: Zoology
Teaching Methods
Total hours of the course (including the time spent in attending lectures, seminars, private study, examinations, etc...): 150 (6x25)
Hours reserved to private study and other individual formative activities: 102
Hours of: Lectures: 40
Hours for Laboratory and external practice: 12
Further information
Frequency of lectures, practice and lab:
The frequency to the lectures is strongly recommended to acquire personal practical experience.
Teaching tools:
Lectures are face-to-face (Power Point presentations), with much time dedicated to observation and dissection of insects. Visits to entological specialized centers are scheduled.
Seminars on entomological topics may complement the course.
Type of Assessment
Oral exam
Course program
General entomology:.
The importance and diversity of insects. Factors for insect success; insect radiation. The antiquity of insects and their phylogeny. Principal evolutionary steps.
External anatomy: the cuticle, colour production, segmentation and tagmosis. The head: mouthparts, cephalic sensory structures. The thorax: legs and wings. Evolution of wings. The abdomen: terminalia
Internal anatomy and physiology: Muscles and locomotion; The circulatory system, haemolymph and circulation; The tracheal system and gas exchange; the gut, digestion and nutrition; The excretory system and waste disposal. Reproductive organs, reproduction and insect development. The process and control of moulting.
Insect systematic. Apterygota: entognatha and ectognatha. Pterygota: paleoptera and neoptera. Selected diagnostic features (principal morphological, antomical chararcteristics), ecology and ethology of insect orders.
Applied entomology:
Insects as bioindicators. The importance of entomophilic pollination. Importance of insects for human health. Entomoterpy. Entomophagy. Chemical and biological control of pests in agriculture. Alien and invasive insects.