Presentations & conferences
South Tyrol Museum of Natural History – Small insects, big transformations
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About the event
In South Tyrol, some tiny insects that live on plants could tell a surprising story: that of the birth of new species. This topic will be discussed on March 11 at the Natural History Museum in a talk organized by Eurac Research and the Biodiversity South Tyrol platform.
These insects are psyllids, small insects similar to tiny cicadas, belonging to the genus Cacopsylla, which live in close association with specific host plants. Some populations have specialized on different plants and tend to live and reproduce almost exclusively on their preferred host. Even when they share the same environment, these groups rarely interbreed. Over time, this isolation can lead to the formation of new species, often very similar in appearance but genetically distinct.
The issue is not only scientifically fascinating: some of these psyllids can transmit microorganisms called phytoplasmas, which cause serious diseases in cultivated plants. Understanding how they evolve, move, and interact with the climate is therefore also crucial for agriculture. Genetic studies conducted on natural populations in South Tyrol and other European regions are shedding light on these processes. Special attention is also being paid to the effects of global warming, which could influence the spread of phytoplasmas and increase risks for crops.
The talk will be given by Lapo Ragionieri, a molecular entomologist at the Plant Care Competence Center of the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, on Wednesday, March 11, at 6:00 PM at the Natural History Museum of South Tyrol. His research focuses on population genetics of various insect species, with particular attention to those that act as vectors of phytoplasmas and pose a threat to crops.
Participation is free, but it is recommended to register on the museum’s website at https://app.no-q.info/naturmuseum-sudtirol/calendar/event/559534
. The lecture will also be broadcast on the museum’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/live/oi7CsPSFIu0
These insects are psyllids, small insects similar to tiny cicadas, belonging to the genus Cacopsylla, which live in close association with specific host plants. Some populations have specialized on different plants and tend to live and reproduce almost exclusively on their preferred host. Even when they share the same environment, these groups rarely interbreed. Over time, this isolation can lead to the formation of new species, often very similar in appearance but genetically distinct.
The issue is not only scientifically fascinating: some of these psyllids can transmit microorganisms called phytoplasmas, which cause serious diseases in cultivated plants. Understanding how they evolve, move, and interact with the climate is therefore also crucial for agriculture. Genetic studies conducted on natural populations in South Tyrol and other European regions are shedding light on these processes. Special attention is also being paid to the effects of global warming, which could influence the spread of phytoplasmas and increase risks for crops.
The talk will be given by Lapo Ragionieri, a molecular entomologist at the Plant Care Competence Center of the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, on Wednesday, March 11, at 6:00 PM at the Natural History Museum of South Tyrol. His research focuses on population genetics of various insect species, with particular attention to those that act as vectors of phytoplasmas and pose a threat to crops.
Participation is free, but it is recommended to register on the museum’s website at https://app.no-q.info/naturmuseum-sudtirol/calendar/event/559534
. The lecture will also be broadcast on the museum’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/live/oi7CsPSFIu0
Dates
This event has dates from 11.03.2026 until 11.03.2026Natural Science Museum, Bozen / Bolzano
11/03/2026
18:00 - 18:59 o'clock
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