Harry K. Kaya

Professor & Nematologist
Office: 475 Hutchison Hall
Phone: 530-752-1051
FAX: 530-752-5809
E-Mail: hkkaya@ucdavis.edu

Biography

Appointment: 1976
B.S. University of Hawaii 1962 Entomology
M.S. University of Hawaii 1966 Entomology-Ecology
Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley 1970 Entomology-Insect Pathology

Lab Website

Prof. Kaya Laboratory Homepage

Teaching Disciplines

Biological control in nematology; Entomology for nonmajor undergraduates; Biological control of insects

Research

My research is focused on insect pathology and entomopathogenic nematodes as biological control agents. The overall objectives of my program are to develop entomopathogens as control agents to reduce the pesticide load in the environment and to have a basic understanding of the ecology and behavior of insect parasitic nematodes. Current programs include the impact of scavengers on entomopathogenic nematode recycling, the production of an ant deterrent factor produced by bacteria associated with nematodes, the behavior and ecology of entomopathogenic nematodes, and the use of nematodes to control weevil pests of Andean tubers. The latter research is being conducted with collaborators in Peru. In addition, we are examining fungal pathogens of the glassy-winged sharpshooter. The glassy-winged sharpshooter project is in conjunction with Dr. Michael McGuire, USDA-ARS, Shafter, California.

Selected Publications:

Campbell, J. F. and H. K. Kaya. 2000. Influence of insect associated cues on the jumping behavior of entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernema spp.). Behaviour 137:591-609.

Koppenhofer, A. M., I. M. Brown, R. Gaugler, P. S. Grewal, H. K. Kaya, and M. G. Klein. 2000. Synergism of entomopathogenic nematodes and imidacloprid against white grubs: greenhouse and field evaluation. Biological Control 19:245-251.

Lacey, L.A., R. Frutos, H. K. Kaya, and P. Vail. 2001. Insect pathogens as biological control agents: do they have a future? Biological Control 31:230-248.

Baur, M. E. and H. K. Kaya. 2001. Persistence of entomopathogenic nematodes. IN: Southern Cooperative Series Bulletin, edited by Baur, M. E., and J. R. Fuxa, 26 pp., http://www.agctr.lsu.edu/s265/.

Hazir, S., S. P. Stock, H. K. Kaya, A. M. Koppenhofer, and N. Keskin. 2001. Developmental temperature effects on five geographic isolates of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema feltiae (Nematoda: Steinernematidae). Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 77:243-250.

Choo, H. Y., H. K. Kaya, J. Huh, D.W. Lee, H. H. Kim, S. M. Lee, and Y. M. Choo. 2002. Entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernema spp. and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora) and a fungus Beauveria brongniartii for biological control of the white grubs, Ectinohoplia rufipes and Exomala orientalis, in Korean golf courses. BioControl 47:177-192.

Choo, H. Y., D W. Lee, J. W. Park, H. K. Kaya, D. R. Smitley, S. M. Lee, and Y. M. Choo. 2002, Life history and spatial distribution of the oriental beetle (Coleoptera:Scarabaeidae) in golf courses in Korea. Journal of Economic Entomology 95: 72-80.

Kaya, H. K. 2002. Natural enemies and other antagonists, in: Entomopathogenic Nematology, R. Gaugler, ed. CAB International, Wallingford, UK, pp. 189-203.

Koppenhofer, A. M., and H. K. Kaya. 2002. Entomopathogenic nematodes and insect pest management. IN Microbial Bipesticides, edited by Koul, O., and G. S. Dhaliwal. Taylor and Francis, London & New York, pp. 277-305.

Luong, L. T. and H. K. Kaya. 2002. Infection dynamics of a sexually transmitted nematode (Mehdinema alii) in the decorated cricket (Gryllodes sigillatus). Canadian Journal of Zoology 80:1145-1148.

Campbell, J. F. and H. K. Kaya. 2002. Variation in entomopathogenic nematode (Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae) infective-stage jumping behaviour. Nematology 4: 471-482.

Zhou, X., H. K. Kaya, K. Heungens, and H. Goodrich-Blair. 2002. Response of ants to a deterrent factor(s) produced by the symbiotic bacteria of entomopathogenic nematodes. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 68: 6202-6209.

Fallon, D. J., H. K. Kaya, R. Gaugler, and B. S. Sipes. 2002. Effects of entomopathogenic nematodes on Meloidogyne javanica on tomatoes and soybeans. Journal of Nematology 34: 239-245.

Peng, C. Y. S., X. Zhou, and H. K. Kaya. 2002. Virulence and site of infection of the fungus, Hirsutella thompsonii, to the honey bee ectoparasitic mite, Varroa destructor. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 81: 185-195.

Hazir, S., N. Keskin, S. P. Stock, H. K. Kaya, and S. ozcan. 2002. Diversity and distribution of entomopathogenic nematodes (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae) in Turkey. Biodiversity and Conservation 12:375-386.

Koppenhofer, A. M., R. S. Cowles, E. A. Cowles, E. M. Fuzy, and H. K. Kaya. 2003. Effect of neonicotinoid synergists on entomopathogenic nematode fitness. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 106: 7-18.

Campbell, J. F., E. E. Lewis, S. P. Stock, S. Nadler, and H. K. Kaya. 2003. Evolution of host search strategies in entomopathogenic nematodes. Journal of Nematology 35:142-145.

Kim, H. H., H. Y. Choo, H. K. Kaya, D. W. Lee, S. M. Lee, and H. Y. Jeon. 2004. Steinernema carpocapsae (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) as a biological control agent againstthe fungus gnat Bradysia agrestis (Diptera: Sciaridae) in propagation houses. Biocontrol Science and Technology 14: 171-183.

Mitani, D. K., H. K. Kaya, and H. Goodrich-Blair. 2004. Comparative study of the entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema carpocapsae, reared on mutant and wild-type Xenorhabdus nematophila. Biological Control 29: 382-391.