Current Projects
The efficacy of heat treatment for drywood termite management
In collaboration with a local heat remediation company, we develop and evaluate a step-by-step guidelines for managing drywood termites using heat technology. The case study is conducted in a condominium unit in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Physical barriers for subterranean termite management
We evaluate the efficacy of a physical barrier against subterranean termites under laboratory conditions. We are hoping to continue the theme of “least-toxic termite control” which was begun by Dr. Minoru Tamashiro (Professor Emeritus, PEPS, CTAHR, University of Hawaii).
Past Projects
Enhancing biological control of citrus pests with improved ant control technologies
We developed and evaluated biodegradable hydrogel bait made from alginate, which comes from brown seaweed, that could potentially revolutionize ant management in different environmental settings, i.e., agricultural, urban, natural settings. Hydrogel bait encapsulates sucrose solution containing tiny amounts of pesticide, allowing ants to feed from the hydrogel surface. Compared to conventional sprays, the use of this novel baiting technique dramatically reduced the amount of pesticides applied to the environment.
Tay et al. (2018). Photo by DH Choe.
The roles of the queen, brood and worker castes in the colony growth dynamics of the pharaoh ant, Monomorium pharaonis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
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Ovaries of the (A) treated and (B) untreated queens of the Pharaoh ant :
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Histological studies of ovaries in Pharaoh ant queens before and after treatment
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Graph: Colony growth dynamics and queen production in the Pharaoh ant colonies
My Ph.D. (2010-2014) dissertation focused on ant social regulation (caste influences), nest relocation behavior in response to a variety of disturbances to a nesting site, and the effects of a juvenile hormone analogue on egg production, and microscopic morphology in the ovaries of the Pharaoh ant, Monomorium pharaonis, one of the most successful invasive pest ants. My B.Sc. (2006-2009) dissertation focused on necrophobic behavior of Asian subterranean termite, Coptotermes gestroi.