Team leader
Dott. Francesco Nazzi, senior researcher of applied entomolog

Scientists and student tutors
Dott. Della Vedova Giorgio, post-doc
Dott. Del Piccolo Fabio, post-doc
Dott. Desiderato Annoscia, post-doc
Dott. Fortunato Laura, post-doc

Research
How do parasites and pathogens interact with each other and their host?
This question is at the centre of the research activity that mostly involves the following arthropods: the honeybee, Apis mellifera, and the sheep tick, Ixodes ricinus. Several aspects are investigated including ecology, behaviour, immunity, physiology, chemical ecology using many different techniques including analytical chemistry, molecular biology and others. Following a more detailed list of research interests and projects. The research activity of the Laboratory is focused on:

• Chemical ecology of arthropods.
• Biology of Varroa destructor Anderson & Trueman, parasite of the honeybee.
• Apis mellifera L. pathology.
• Ecology of the sheep tick Ixodes ricinus L. and its role as a vector of human diseases.
• Beekeeping for rural development

Lab facilities
GC-MS, HPLC
Incubators for insect rearing
Equipment for bioassays

Topics offered for thesis

• Ecology of Ixodes ricinus L. and its role as a vector of human diseases.
• Pathogens and parasites