- The course provides a quick recall of the main grapevine pests in Sardinia, so that also students that did not take the exam Grapevine Entomology would understand the framework of the course.
- Special attention will be put on the following pests: Hemiptera Cicadellidae (Jacobiasca libica, Empoasca vitis, Zygina rhamni) e Pseudococcidae (Planococcus ficus), Lepidoptera Tortricidae (Lobesia botrana) e Pyralidae (Cryptoblabes gnidiella), Coleoptera Scarabeidae (Tropinota squalida). Moreover, monitoring of nematodes (Xiphinema sp.) that vector grapevine viruses will be performed.
- Use of phenology models to predict pest infestations.
- Setup of pest monitoring devices.
- Field deployment of traps, in accordance with rational criteria of pest monitoring.
- Periodic check of traps, carried out by students in order to acquire skills on insect identification in the field.
- Computer analysis of field data, to make students able to produce seasonal patterns of pest population dynamics.