MASSIMO GIORGINI

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Tel.: +39 081 7753658 int. 17
Fax.: +39 081 7758122

Massimo Giorgini is scientist researcher at CNR-IPP since 2002. He is an entomologist that is dealing with subjects concerning the biological control and IPM of insect pests and the symbiotic relationships between insects and microorganisms. Main research subjects are: 1. Phylogenetics, biosystematics and characterization of parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera) potentially useful in biological control programmes; 2. Reproductive biology of parasitoid wasps; 3. Influence of endosymbiotic microorganisms on biology, ecology and evolution of their parasitoid hosts; 4. Environmentally-friendly and sustainable methods to control insect pests damaging greenhouse crops, and invasive exotic insects. At present, Massimo Giorgini is focusing his activity on the following projects: 1.1. Integrative taxonomy (morphological, biological, karyological and molecular characterization) of Encarsia species, diagnosis of cryptic species and phylogeny of the genus Encarsia (Aphelinidae); 2.1. Evolution and mechanisms of thelytokous parthenogenetic reproduction in Aphelinidae and Eulophidae parasitoid wasps; 3.1. Characterization of bacterial symbionts and their role in asexual reproduction, sex determination and sex ratio of the parasitoid hosts; 4.1. Intra-species genetic and biological diversity of the whiteflies Bemisia tabaci and Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Aleirodidae) and characterization of the whitefly-associated parasitoid complexes in the Mediterranean Basin; 4.2. Use of aphelinid species (Encarsia spp. and Eretmocerus spp.) in biological control programmes against B. tabaci and T. vaporariorum; 4.3 IPM and biological control of the tomato borer Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), an exotic insect recently introduced to Italy.

 

Curriculum Vitae