Training program in Entomology (special. Diptera Syrphidae), emphasis on collection management and bioindicator use
After the stop due to Covid-19, the face-to-face entomology trainings are back!

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 (Natura 2000 IT
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 in the Municipality of Mirandola (MO). 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 dicotomous 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
Laptops with updated MS-Windows operative system and MS-Office/Excel
Field dressing and chemical protection against mosquitoes.
Registration form
Please click
here
Payment
Fee payment deadline and details will be provided upon acceptance to the course.
Other details
General Time table of the training
From Monday to Friday, from 9.00-13.00, 14.00-17.30: the lunch break will be in general in the own responsibility of participants.
On Tuesday, 7.30 - 19.00: field work, Sorting and preparation of specimens. The lunch and the travel to the sampling location are offered by the organizers.
Locations
Lessons: Ferrara, Museum of Natural History, in Largo F. Vancini 2, and Sistema Museale di Ateneo UNIFE, in Corso Ercole I d'Este 32
Field work: Valli Mirandolesi, Comune di Mirandola (MO), Ceas La Raganella
Venue
You can arrive in Ferrara:
- by car: Motorway A13 Bologna-Padova, the recommended exit is "Ferrara Nord".
- by train: many trains connect Ferrara to Bologna Centrale or Padova and Venezia
- by plane: the "Guglielmo Marconi" international airport in Bologna is the closest one. A bus connects the airport directly to Ferrara in 40-50 minutes, the bus-stop is in front of the main exit of the airport. The last stop of the bus in Ferrara is the useful one, in the center of the city, near our Museum.
Suggested accomodations
Hostels Student's Hostel Estense - Ferrara: https://it.ostelloferrara.it/,
Suggested hotels:
Hotel Touring
Hotel De Prati
Hotel Europa
Those hotels are really close to the Museum and have discounted prices for people who participate in events organized by the Municipality of Ferrara, please specify that you wish to participate in a stage at the Municipality on booking. Of course, you are free to choose any other accomodation. The Touring hotel is in front of the stop of the bus to the airport.
Final test
Participants will be required to submit by e-mail to c.corazza@comune.fe.it a report about the activities done. The report tests the abilities gained during the training. Upon successful completion, participants will receive a 'Certificate of Attendance' by DEST.
Some adjustement to the program could be decided during the week.
DEST course page
PDF program
dest-training-program-in-entomology-2022.pdf
Organized by



Under the patronage of

and in cooperation with
Rating of the previous courses:
Evaluation of 2019 training