Profile

Graduation in Agricultural Sciences in the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Turin discussing a thesis on black locust honey (1975) qualification as professional agronomist (1976) post-graduation in Viticulture and Oenology in the same university discussing a thesis on the role of honeybees in grape pollination (1977). Research work in the University of Turin under a grant of the Italian National Research Council (1976-1981) as full time researcher (1981-1987) and as full time associated professor of General and applied Entomology in the Department of Agricultural Forestry and Food Sciences (1987-). Research activities carried out within several international national and local research projects on agricultural entomology and apidology and reported in about 220 papers. Main research topics: plant sucking insects and honeydew production bee zoogeography and systematics bumblebees honeybee genetics and breeding honeybee management and queen rearing honeybee pathology hazards of pesticide to bees use of honeybee as a bioindicator of environmental pollution nectar and pollen sources honey analysis pollinating insects in natural and agricultural landscapes use of honeybees and wild bees in the pollination of fruit vegetable industrial and hay crops.