We investigate the interaction between organisms/microorganisms, used in biological control, and insect models potentially harmful to the environment. Many species of phytophagous insects damage crops and urban greenery, others represent a real danger to human and animal health (vectors); in both cases, the main form of containment and elimination of dangerous species is, even today, the use of pesticides.
In our lab we study physiological alteration and immune defenses of insects when infected by parasites (or bacteria), conventionally used as bioinsecticides as well as the effects of environmental temperature changes on these processes.
The host immune responses are monitored in both naive and infected/parasitized insect larvae, with or without priming or immunomodulatory drugs administration.
Some animal models we are using are Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera, parasite of the hives), the spotted wings Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii), the choleoptera Red Palm Weevil (Rynchophorous ferrugineus) and the biotransformer Black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens (diptera).
Deepening the knowledge of host-parasite relations (insects-bioinsecticides) provides the fundamental basis for the improvement of biological control methods, methods that if used correctly, will allow a significant reduction in the use of pesticides.

Finally, we also study the biological activity of pharmacologically active molecules using animal models such as insect, alternatives to mammals.

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Particularly, we are studying:

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• Biological Control of Insect Pests

• Insect humoral Immune responses such as: proPO system, Lysozyme and AMPs modulation.

• Insect cell-mediated responses, such as phagocytosis and encapsulation.

• Compounds isolated from parasites and pathogenic bacteria involved in evasion and depression of host immunity.

• Effects of temperature on phatogenicity and potential correlation with immune responses.

• Role of insect's stress proteins (HSPs) after induced environmental or immunological stress.