Spring School in Chemical Ecology: Theoretical and practical aspects
LINK: https://www.accademiaentomologia.it/scuole/
Overview
This short course provides PhD students with a solid introduction to chemical ecology, with a focus on pheromones and other semiochemicals used in biological control of insect pests. It emphasizes ecological interactions among plants, insects and microbes that mediate chemical communication.
Key information
• Venue: Viale delle Scienze, Bldg 5, Room H (SAAF – University of Palermo)
• Language: English
• Designed for: PhD students (1st–2nd year). Max 15 participants (minimum 8).
• Registration fee: € 30.00 (lunches + refreshments during breaks included). Dinners not included.
• Registration form: here available
• Accommodation: Participants arrange and pay for their own accommodation.
• Registration deadline: 15 March 2026
• Supervisors: Stefano Colazza (UNIPA); Ezio Peri (UNIPA)
• Speakers: Stefano Colazza (UNIPA); Antonino Cusumano (UNIPA); Giacinto Salvatore Germinara
(UNIFG); Salvatore Guarino (CNR); Ezio Peri (UNIPA)
• Technical support: Tuğcan Alınç (UNIPA); Marco Pistillo (UNIFG)
Program at a glance
Day 1 — Tuesday 14 April 2026
• 09:30–10:00 Welcome • tour de table
• 10:00–11:00 Introduction to Chemical Ecology (Part A): chemical communication, tri-trophic interactions
• 11:00–11:30 Coffee break
• 11:30–13:00 Introduction (Part B): devices, equipment and software for collections and behavioural assays
• 13:00–14:30 Lunch
• 14:30–16:30 Introduction to R and MetaboAnalyst for chemical ecology applications
Day 2 — Wednesday 15 April 2026
• 09:00–10:30 Workshop on VOCs (Part A): collection (traps, headspace collection)
• 10:30–11:00 Coffee break
• 11:00–13:00 Workshop on multivariate analysis of VOCs
• 13:00–14:30 Lunch
• 14:30–16:30 Workshop on VOCs (Part B): analysis, peak integration and identification
Day 3 — Thursday 16 April 2026
• 09:00–10:30 Workshop on bioassays: Y-tube olfactometer & EAD (two groups)
• 10:30–11:00 Coffee break
• 11:00–13:00 Workshop on bioassays: Y-tube olfactometer & EAD (two groups)
• 13:00–14:30 Lunch and farewell
Overview
This short course provides PhD students with a solid introduction to chemical ecology, with a focus on pheromones and other semiochemicals used in biological control of insect pests. It emphasizes ecological interactions among plants, insects and microbes that mediate chemical communication.
Key information
• Venue: Viale delle Scienze, Bldg 5, Room H (SAAF – University of Palermo)
• Language: English
• Designed for: PhD students (1st–2nd year). Max 15 participants (minimum 8).
• Registration fee: € 30.00 (lunches + refreshments during breaks included). Dinners not included.
• Registration form: here available
• Accommodation: Participants arrange and pay for their own accommodation.
• Registration deadline: 15 March 2026
• Supervisors: Stefano Colazza (UNIPA); Ezio Peri (UNIPA)
• Speakers: Stefano Colazza (UNIPA); Antonino Cusumano (UNIPA); Giacinto Salvatore Germinara
(UNIFG); Salvatore Guarino (CNR); Ezio Peri (UNIPA)
• Technical support: Tuğcan Alınç (UNIPA); Marco Pistillo (UNIFG)
Program at a glance
Day 1 — Tuesday 14 April 2026
• 09:30–10:00 Welcome • tour de table
• 10:00–11:00 Introduction to Chemical Ecology (Part A): chemical communication, tri-trophic interactions
• 11:00–11:30 Coffee break
• 11:30–13:00 Introduction (Part B): devices, equipment and software for collections and behavioural assays
• 13:00–14:30 Lunch
• 14:30–16:30 Introduction to R and MetaboAnalyst for chemical ecology applications
Day 2 — Wednesday 15 April 2026
• 09:00–10:30 Workshop on VOCs (Part A): collection (traps, headspace collection)
• 10:30–11:00 Coffee break
• 11:00–13:00 Workshop on multivariate analysis of VOCs
• 13:00–14:30 Lunch
• 14:30–16:30 Workshop on VOCs (Part B): analysis, peak integration and identification
Day 3 — Thursday 16 April 2026
• 09:00–10:30 Workshop on bioassays: Y-tube olfactometer & EAD (two groups)
• 10:30–11:00 Coffee break
• 11:00–13:00 Workshop on bioassays: Y-tube olfactometer & EAD (two groups)
• 13:00–14:30 Lunch and farewell
