The course aims to address the basic aspects of the environmental impact induced by the use of pesticides to control harmful insects. Thus, the environmental and health aspects of chemical and biohazard risk induced by the use of phytochemicals and bioinsecticides will be discussed, considering the effects on the environment and human and animal health. The training objective is to provide basic and specialized knowledge on controlling the spread of native or allochthonous harmful insects.
Course Prerequisites
Basic knowledge from bachelor's degree programs in biology, natural science, or biotechnology is required
Teaching Methods
Lectures and experiences in teaching or research laboratories
Assessment Methods
The examination consists of an oral final examination. The student will be asked a number of questions concerning the teaching program and covering both general concepts and specific problems or techniques. The objective of the final exam is to verify the level of achievement of the training objectives, assessing first of all the possession of the basic cognitive elements and then the student's ability to use them independently to solve real problems.
Contents
Climate change: influence on organisms and habitats - Impact of climate change on the spread of species - Alteration of habitats and establishment of alien species - Alteration of biological cycles of native species in relation to environmental changes - Anthropogenic impacts - Alterations in the environment - Influence on biodiversity - Hazardous insects, phytophagous and vectors - Zoonoses and spillover - Agro-environmental damage Physiology of hexapods - Notes on the anatomy and physiology of insects - Hints on Life Cycles and Reproduction Chemical control - The most commonly used pesticides - European/World regulations - Effects on Environment and Biodiversity - Effects on Human and Animal Health Biological Control - Basic Principles - Bioinsecticides - Microorganisms - Parasites The immune system of Arthropods - The defense systems of Insects - General concepts - The humoral defenses - The cellular defenses Parasitology - Microorganism-host interactions - Parasite-host interactions
Course Language
Italian
More information
Student reception: the teacher is always available by previous agreement by email: maurizio.brivio@uninsubria.it At request, the teacher will use part of the lecture to clarify topics of previous lectures. It is also possible to ask for elucidations during the lectures.
