Entomology - 2023/24 - 40192A

The module Entomology is part of the core subjects of the Bachelor in Agricultural and Agro-Environmental Science/Bachelor in Agricultural, Food and Mountain environmental Sciences. The frontal lectures will start by an introduction on fundamentals in entomology. Students are introduced to arthropod structures and functions, classification, identification, development, behaviour and ecology. Emphasis is placed on herbivores, predators and parasitoids occurring in agro-ecosystems. Methods of arthropod control, in particular biological control, are outlined and discussed. The practical part provides instruction in the insect morphology and physiology, identification of agriculture and forest relevant arthropod groups, mainly key pest insects occurring in agricultural and forest ecosystems.

The course will cover the following topics:
1. Reasons of insect success;
2. Insect taxonomy and nomenclature;
3. Arthropoda;
4. Insect classification: apterygota, exopterygota, endopterygota;
5. Insect orders and most relevant families;
6. Insect morphology: head, thorax and abdomen;
7. Types of mouthparts: chewing, piercing-sucking, rasping-sucking, sponging, siphoning, etc.;
8. Types of antenna, wings and legs;
9. Male and female genital organs, types of ovipositors;
10. Insect cycles, development and metamorphosis;
11. Cuticle and insect integument;
12. Feeding and digestion;
13. Excretory, circulatory and respiratory;
14. Nervous system, sensory organs;
15. Insect chemical ecology: semiochemicals and pheromones;
16. Insect sampling and insect monitoring;
17. Insect natural enemies;
18. Cultural, mechanical and chemical control of insects;
19. Overview on insecticides;
20. Toxicity, health and economic threshold;
21. Integrated pest management (IPM) in fruit orchards;
22. Sustainable agriculture and biological control;
23. Introduction of key pest insects in European agriculture and forest ecosystems;
24. Exotic pest insects;
25. Case topics selected by the students.