Lecturer: Daniele Cornara

Arguments and general structure: 

1) Lecture: “Basic knowledge on vector transmission of plant pathogens” 

2) Lecture/Case study: “Vectors of Xylella fastidiosa”

3) Lecture/Case study: “Aphids, thrips, whiteflies and mealybugs transmission of viruses”

4) Lecture/Case study: “Psyllids transmission of Ca. Liberibacter spp.”

5) Practice: “How to set-up a transmission study”

6) Practice: “Electrical Penetration Graph: introduction and how to use it in transmission studies”

Objectives/main goals

Overall, the students will acquire basic knowledge about the role of the insects in the epidemiology of plant pathogens, together with the fundamental skills needed to approach the research on the complex interaction insect-pathogen-host plant. Furthermore, they will be introduced to the concept of multidisciplinary and how integration of knowledge from different fields/topics is essential for the study of vector-borne diseases. Finally, lectures will be integrated with practical lessons focusing on: i) how to plan and conduct a transmission experiment from field surveys to pathogen detection in lab; ii) the Electrical Penetration Graph (EPG), and how real-time monitoring of the probing/feeding behavior of a vector can furnish fundamental breakthroughs for the understanding of a vector-borne plant pathogen epidemiology.

Course schedule

Evaluation procedure: Final oral exam; attendance to at least 75% of the course is mandatory for admittance to the final exam.