2023/2024

The aim of the course is to give students the core information needed to handle entomological problems in agricultural and natural environments using a contemporary, digital approach. At the end of the course the student will have to know the latest digital tools and biotechnological methodologies for the management of insect pests in both agriculture and forestry to prevent and/or contain their detrimental effects. The course pursues the following learning objectives: KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING Knowledge of the main methods of crop pest management, traditional pest monitoring and control strategies and application methodologies. Knowledge of potential innovations in pest monitoring: proximal and remote sensing and machine learning. Knowledge of case studies for the extension of the principles acquired in the course to other cases. Knowledge and application of mathematical and statistical models for the description and prediction of insect populations. Examples of software used and their application to other case studies. APPLIED KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING Understanding of innovative entomological approaches discussed in lectures and their application to specific cases in agricultural and forestry environments. MAKING JUDGEMENT Application of knowledge acquired in the course to case studies. Application of the acquired knowledge to the identification of innovative strategies discussed for sustainable management of phytosanitary problems. COMMUNICATION SKILLS Use of the correct technical-scientific terminology in the description of the course topics. Synthesis skills and communicative effectiveness in the description of the course topics. LEARNING SKILLS Knowledge of the course topics and critical ability to understand the crucial aspects of a phytosanitary problem, how to apply the currently available technological innovations and how to carry out the necessary investigations.

Basic skills in biological disciplines, general and applied entomology

Below are some of the scientific publications suggested to students:
- Review of CLIMEX and MaxEnt for studying species distribution in South Korea - Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity (2018) - Dae-hyeon Byeon, Sunghoon Jung, Wang-Hee Lee
- A review: application of remote sensing as a promising strategy for insect pests and diseases management - Environmental Science and Pollution Research (2020) - Nesreen M. Abd El-Ghany, Shadia E. Abd El-Aziz, Shahira S. Marei
- Recent Advances in Forest Insect Pests and Diseases Monitoring Using UAV-Based Data: A Systematic Review - Forests (2022) - André Duarte, Nuno Borralho, Pedro Cabral, Mário Caetano
- Automatic Detection and Monitoring of Insect Pests—A Review - Agriculture (2020) - Matheus Cardim Ferreira Lima, Maria Elisa Damascena de Almeida Leandro, Constantino Valero, Luis Carlos Pereira Coronel, Clara Oliva Gonçalves Bazzo

1. Importance of integrated pest management
2. Traditional monitoring strategies and potential innovations
3. Decision support systems (DSS)
Mathematical models for the description and prediction of insect populations
Statistical and mathematical models for the study of species distribution (MAXENT, Random Forest etc)
Measurement and estimation of insect populations
Monitoring strategies with innovative traps
Case studies
4. Proximal sensing in monitoring of main insects in agriculture and forestry
Monitoring with automated traps
YOLO technology and machine learning for pests detection and recognition
Case studies
5. Remote sensing in monitoring of main insects in agriculture and forestry
UAVs and sensors, data collection and processing
The use of satellite-collected data for assessing the activity of phytophagous insects
Case studies
6. Apps for insect species recognition (citizen science)

Students will be provided with ppt slides. The study will be integrated with scientific papers provided by the teacher

Classes will take place in presence. However streaming will allow students to take the class

Attendence is not required but strongly recommended

The evaluation of knowledge will take place through a final oral exam.

    Mario CONTARINI