Training program in Entomology (special. Diptera Syrphidae), emphasis on collection management and bioindicator use - DEST (Distributed European School of Taxonomy)

Description

The course will give an introduction to the taxonomy and the systematics of hoverflies, insects that play an important role in pollination of both crops and wild flora and are used in organic control of pests. Hoverflies are also used as bioindicators of biodiversity in natural and seminatural ecosystems: the Syrph the Net method will be explained in details. Information about other pollinators and bioindicators of biodiversity and about museum collection management will be supplied.

Trainers

Carla Corazza, Civic Museum of Natural History of Ferrara. She is a biologist that since 1990 manages the Ecological Research station of the Museum. She organises taxonomy courses on terrestrial invertebrates since 1999.

Daniele Sommaggio, University of Bologna. He is an entomologist with a large experience in taxonomy and systematics of hoverflies and in the application of the Syrph the Net method for the assessment of biodiversity. He’s involved in many European projects dealing with pollinators.

Giovanni Burgio, University of Bologna. He is full professor of applied entomology.

Dates of Training period

26-30 September 2022

Duration

5 working days, 40 hours

Location

Ferrara, Civic Museum of Natural History and System of the Museums of the University of Ferrara, ITALY

Protected Area of Valli Mirandolesi, ITALY

Course’s language

English

Target audience

Graduating and post-graduated naturalists, biologists, agronomists, forestry experts and everyone interested in professional biodiversity assessment.

Fee

250 €. It includes all the lab facilities, the travel to the field activity area and one lunch.

Registration deadline

4 July 2022

Mode of trainees’ assessment

Final report

Participant quota (min and max number of trainees)

Min 4 trainees – Max 10 trainees

External funding/sponsoring

Technical sponsorships by the University of Ferrara and the Protected Area of Valli Mirandolesi. They will give us the rooms for the lessons.

Types of training/ Implementation method

Theoretical modules/Face to Face
Field work/Face to Face
Lab work/Face to Face

Training Course learning outcomes

Hoverflies (Diptera Syrphidae): anatomy, taxonomy and systematics
Hoverfly ecology. The role of Syrphidae as organic pest control
Hoverfly rearing
Sampling of hoverflies
Preparing and insects storing techniques. Management of entomological collections. The present importance of Museum collections
Identification of specimens to genus and species level using dichotomous keys and entomological collections
Pollinators, bees and wild bees: their ecological importance and their crisis
Syrph the Net: a standardised method for biodiversity assessment using hoverfly diversity
Application of Syrph the Net in environmental of assessments: case studies

Certifications provided

Certificate of Attendance by CETAF DEST with ECVET Units (European Credit system for Vocational Education and Training) and ECTS Credits
Certificate by CETAF DEST according to Europass Certificate Supplement (certifying analytically the knowledge, skills and competences gained)

What trainees need to bring