Carmelo RAPISARDA

Carmelo Rapisarda is Professor of General and Applied Entomology (at the University of Catania, Italy, till November 2025). He holds a Laurea degree (equivalent to BSc + MSc) in Agricultural Sciences (1980, 110/110 cum laude) and a PhD in Agricultural Entomology from the University of Naples “Federico II” (1986). His work focuses on insect biodiversity, invasive species, sap-sucking pests (especially whiteflies and psyllids) and their plant pathogens transmission, biological and integrated control of crop pests, and the effects of climate change on agro-ecosystems. He is internationally recognised for his expertise in Hemiptera taxonomy, insect vectors of plant diseases, and environmentally sustainable pest management. His research experience includes several study periods spent as visiting scientist in various internationally recognized research institutions worldwide.
His career has been dedicated to advancing sustainable pest management and promoting the conservation of biodiversity in agricultural and forest ecosystems; and with nearly 250 scientific publications, Carmelo Rapisarda has contributed extensively to research on agricultural and forest pests, integrated pest management, and biodiversity conservation. He has coordinated numerous national and international projects, particularly those addressing harmful whitefly species, and has collaborated with international organisations including FAO and CABI. At present, he is a member of the Italian Entomological Society, as well as of the Italian National Academy of Entomology, and the Accademia Gioenia.
He has held several leadership roles in academic and international networks, serving on the Board of Directors, and later as President, of the NATURA/AGRINATURA Association (2003–2010), representing Italy’s Agricultural Research for Development system at the United Nations, and heading the Applied Entomology Section at the University of Catania. He has also coordinated international education initiatives, such as the Erasmus Mundus MSc Agris Mundus in “Sustainable Development in Agriculture” and the international PhD programme in “Plant Health Technologies and Protection of Agro-ecosystems”.

He joined the IOBC-WPRS in 2012, being especially active in the WGs “Integrated Control in Protected Crops, Mediterranean Climate”, “Integrated Control in Protected Crops, Temperate Climate”, and “Integrated Control in Citrus Fruit Crops”. He has been Convenor of the WG “Integrated Control in Protected Crops, Mediterranean Climate” from 2012 to 2025. In 2025, he has been elected as Executive Committee member and Treasurer for the period 1st January 2026 – 31st December 2029.