The main formative targets are:
1) the acquisition of a basic knowledge on morphology, anatomy, physiology and evolution of the main insect groups.
2) the acquisition of both theoretical and practical knowledge on systematics and classification of the hexapoda.
3) the construction of a solid cultural background for an advanced discussion on causes and effects of the amazing evolutionary success and diversity of insects and on their importance in basic and applied studies.
4) the acquisition of the tools for the insect taxonomic identification, expecially for those orders and families present in the italian fauna.
5) to stimulate the curiosity and the ability of critically observe the nature.
6) the self-evaluation by the student of the competence whitin the animal biology, and in particular in the entomology.
1) the acquisition of a basic knowledge on morphology, anatomy, physiology and evolution of the main insect groups.
2) the acquisition of both theoretical and practical knowledge on systematics and classification of the hexapoda.
3) the construction of a solid cultural background for an advanced discussion on causes and effects of the amazing evolutionary success and diversity of insects and on their importance in basic and applied studies.
4) the acquisition of the tools for the insect taxonomic identification, expecially for those orders and families present in the italian fauna.
5) to stimulate the curiosity and the ability of critically observe the nature.
6) the self-evaluation by the student of the competence whitin the animal biology, and in particular in the entomology.
teacher profile teaching materials
2) Generalities on Arthropods; phylogenesis problems of Arthropods; insects in the evolution of terrestrial Arthropods; general information on the Atelocerata, and in particular on the Hexapods; outline of paleontology of insects; insect origin; significance of the evolutionary success of insects.
3) Insects as land animals; exoskeleton; structure of the integument and cuticle; chemical and physical colors. External anatomy: regions of the body; sclerites; primary and secondary segmentation; appendices and wings.
4) Movement: musculature and endoskeleton; the race; the jump; origin and mechanics of flight; adaptations to aquatic life and importance of surface forces, swimming; the excavation; raptorial and phoretic limbs.
5) Breathing; breathing in the aquatic environment; water reabsorption; excretion; adaptations to temperature changes.
6) Nutrition: cephalic appendages and mouthparts; anatomy and physiology of the digestive system; food strategies.
7) Circulatory system.
8) Reproduction: structure and functional morphology of the segments and genital appendages; reproductive systems and reproductive behaviors; parthenogenesis; pedogenesis; polyembryony; meaning of heterogony; eggs; sperm.
9) Embryonic and postembryonic development: growth and metamorphosis; types of larvae and types of metamorphosis; diapause; physiology; endocrine glands.
10) Communication in insects. Nervous system: components and functioning. Endocrine system: hormones and endocrine organs. Exocrine glands. Perception of the environment. Compound eyes. Vision. Ocelli. Mechanoreceptors. Coloration. Light production. Mechanical communication: production of sound and vibrations of the substrate. Chemical communication: pheromones and secretions of interspecific significance.
11) Intraspecific relationships; parental care; society; interspecific relationships; predation; parasitism.
12) Orientation; migrations; dispersion.
13) Classification: diagnostic characters at the level of orders and outline of the most important families, with particular regard to the Italian fauna and the aspects of biology and ecology. Phylogeny of insects.
Esapodi Apterigoti: COLLEMBOLA, PROTURA, DIPLURA, MICROCORYPHIA, ZYGENTOMA. Paleotteri: EPHEMEROPTERA, ODONATA. Polineotteri (orthopteroid orders): PLECOPTERA, EMBIOPTERA, DICTYOPTERA, ISOPTERA, GRYLLOBLATTODEA, DERMAPTERA, PHASMIDA, ORTOPTERA, ZORAPTERA, MANTOFASMATODEA. Paraneoptera (emitteroid orders): PSOCOPTERA, PHTHIRAPTERA, THYSANOPTERA, HETEROPTERA. Homoptera. Oligoneotteri: MECOPTERA, TRICHOPTERA, LEPIDOPTERA, DIPTERA, SIPHONAPTERA, MEGALOPTERA, RAPHIDIOPTERA, PLANIPENNIA, COLEOPTERA, STREPSIPTERA, HYMENOPTERA.
14) Aspects of applied entomology: medical entomology, agricultural entomology, entomology in environmental assessment, insect conservation, urban entomology, veterinary entomology, entomology applied to conservation of cultural heritage.
R.G. Davies “Lineamenti di Entomologia” Zanichelli
M. Chinery “Guida agli insetti d’Europa” Muzzio
Programme
1) Introduction: aim of the course; entomology in the history of Zoology and more generally in the history of science; role of entomology in modern biological disciplines; basic and applied entomology; relationships of insects with man and the environment.2) Generalities on Arthropods; phylogenesis problems of Arthropods; insects in the evolution of terrestrial Arthropods; general information on the Atelocerata, and in particular on the Hexapods; outline of paleontology of insects; insect origin; significance of the evolutionary success of insects.
3) Insects as land animals; exoskeleton; structure of the integument and cuticle; chemical and physical colors. External anatomy: regions of the body; sclerites; primary and secondary segmentation; appendices and wings.
4) Movement: musculature and endoskeleton; the race; the jump; origin and mechanics of flight; adaptations to aquatic life and importance of surface forces, swimming; the excavation; raptorial and phoretic limbs.
5) Breathing; breathing in the aquatic environment; water reabsorption; excretion; adaptations to temperature changes.
6) Nutrition: cephalic appendages and mouthparts; anatomy and physiology of the digestive system; food strategies.
7) Circulatory system.
8) Reproduction: structure and functional morphology of the segments and genital appendages; reproductive systems and reproductive behaviors; parthenogenesis; pedogenesis; polyembryony; meaning of heterogony; eggs; sperm.
9) Embryonic and postembryonic development: growth and metamorphosis; types of larvae and types of metamorphosis; diapause; physiology; endocrine glands.
10) Communication in insects. Nervous system: components and functioning. Endocrine system: hormones and endocrine organs. Exocrine glands. Perception of the environment. Compound eyes. Vision. Ocelli. Mechanoreceptors. Coloration. Light production. Mechanical communication: production of sound and vibrations of the substrate. Chemical communication: pheromones and secretions of interspecific significance.
11) Intraspecific relationships; parental care; society; interspecific relationships; predation; parasitism.
12) Orientation; migrations; dispersion.
13) Classification: diagnostic characters at the level of orders and outline of the most important families, with particular regard to the Italian fauna and the aspects of biology and ecology. Phylogeny of insects.
Esapodi Apterigoti: COLLEMBOLA, PROTURA, DIPLURA, MICROCORYPHIA, ZYGENTOMA. Paleotteri: EPHEMEROPTERA, ODONATA. Polineotteri (orthopteroid orders): PLECOPTERA, EMBIOPTERA, DICTYOPTERA, ISOPTERA, GRYLLOBLATTODEA, DERMAPTERA, PHASMIDA, ORTOPTERA, ZORAPTERA, MANTOFASMATODEA. Paraneoptera (emitteroid orders): PSOCOPTERA, PHTHIRAPTERA, THYSANOPTERA, HETEROPTERA. Homoptera. Oligoneotteri: MECOPTERA, TRICHOPTERA, LEPIDOPTERA, DIPTERA, SIPHONAPTERA, MEGALOPTERA, RAPHIDIOPTERA, PLANIPENNIA, COLEOPTERA, STREPSIPTERA, HYMENOPTERA.
14) Aspects of applied entomology: medical entomology, agricultural entomology, entomology in environmental assessment, insect conservation, urban entomology, veterinary entomology, entomology applied to conservation of cultural heritage.
Core Documentation
P.J. Gullan & P.S. Cranston “Lineamenti di Entomologia” ZanichelliR.G. Davies “Lineamenti di Entomologia” Zanichelli
M. Chinery “Guida agli insetti d’Europa” Muzzio
Reference Bibliography
G. Grimaldi “Evolution of the Insects” R.F. Chapman “The Insects: structure and function” Hodder & Stoughton, London C. Gillot “Entomology” Plenum Press, New York O.W. Richards & R.G. Davies “Imm’s general textbook of entomology” Chapman & Hall, London Vol. I e IIType of delivery of the course
The course includes practical activities both in the laboratory and in the field. During laboratory activities, each lasting two hours, will be shown live and preserved specimens, made microscope dissections, used keys for identification, and shown methods of preparation and conservation of the entomological material. The observations of the material will be made using optical and electronic scanning microscopes (SEM). In field, observations of insects and other arthropods in their natural environment will be performed and the main sampling methods will be illustrated.Type of evaluation
For each student it is optional, although desirable, to deepen a topic, chosen from a list proposed by the teacher or with him agreed, to be written in the form of a short paper to be delivered in paper form and in a PowerPoint presentation possibly to be displayed as a seminar during the course or possibly to be discussed during the examination. Students must prepare an "insectarium" (a collection of preparations prepared independently) representing at least 8 orders and several families. Alternatively, students will be able to present an equivalent collection of original photos with relevant documentation, of good quality and taken personally, which portray representatives of the aforementioned groups of insects. Other possible arrangements will be agreed with the teacher. The evaluation will be carried out through a final exam which will consist of an oral examination of the candidate's preparation on the course content; for this purpose, various material will also be proposed to be recognized and discussed, also using the aforementioned "insectarium". Other methods of evaluation will possibly be used.