Kevin M. Heinz

TITLE: Professor; Department Head; Director, Texas Imported Fire Ant Research and Management Project

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor of Science - Biology: Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, 1979
• Master of Science - Biology: University of California, Riverside, 1983
• Doctor of Philosophy - Entomology, University of California, Riverside, 1989

RESEARCH EMPHASIS: Research in my laboratory addresses questions associated with the ecological relationships among arthropod predators and parasitoids with their prey or hosts. These studies form the foundations for developing and implementing effective biological control programs. Using arthropod parasitoids and predators as models, we are interested in testing theories derived from behavioral, population, or community ecology within the context of temporally and spatially ephemeral habits. Results from these experiments are used to develop a theoretical framework for biological control of arthropods cropping systems and weeds in natural habitats.

TEACHING: A graduate course in Principles of Biological Control (classroom and at a distance) (ENTO 608) and an undergraduate course in Floricultural and Horticultural Entomology (ENTO 405).

MENTORING PHILOSOPHY: Graduate students and post-docs interested in working in my laboratory should have a mutual interest in one of my active research areas, and with the skills and work ethic for sustain progress with minimal supervision. The research should entail a blend of ecological and applied aspects of biological control, with particular current emphases in the development and implementation of biological control based IPM programs in nursery and floricultural crops. Individuals are encouraged to establish their research goals early in their program, and to rely on interactions with fellow students, research staff, and faculty to aid in the focusing of a research agenda. An outcome goal is to produce superior entomological scientists with the technical expertise for research and teaching, and the ability to successfully communicate with peers, students, industry, and the public. A well-rounded program should include teaching experiences, departmental and community service, and mutually beneficial interactions with researchers, growers, and related agencies.

MEET THE HEINZ LAB

RECENT PUBLICATIONS:

Prasifka, J. R., K. M. Heinz and R. R. Minzenmayer. 2004. Relationships of
landscape, prey and agronomic variables to the abundance of generalist predators in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) fields. Landscape Ecology 19: 709-717. [PDF]

Prasifka, J.R. (Ph.D. student), K.M. Heinz. 2004. The use of C3 and C4 plants to study natural enemy movement and ecology, ant its application to pest management. International Journal of Pest Management 50(3): 177-181. [PDF]

Mottern, J. L. (M.S. student), K. M. Heinz, and P. J. Ode (Post-doc).
2004. Evaluating biological control of fire ants using phorid flies: effects on competitive interactions. Biological Control 30 (3): 566-583. [PDF]

Prasifka, J.R. (Ph.D. student), K.M. Heinz, and C.G. Sansone (TCE extension specialist). 2004. Timing, magnitude, rates, and putative causes of predator movement between cotton and grain sorghum fields. Environmental Entomology 33(2): 282-290. [PDF]

Prasifka, J.R., K.M. Heinz, and Kirk O. Winemiller. 2004. Crop colonisation, feeding, and reproduction by the predatory beetle, Hippodamia convergens, as indicated by stable carbon isotope analysis. Ecological Entomology 29 : 226-233. [PDF]

Arthurs, S. (Post-doc), Heinz, K.M., Thompson, S. (Research Associate), and Krauter, P.C. (Research Associate). 2003. Effect of temperature on infections, development and reproduction of the parasitic nematode Thripinema nicklewoodi in Frankliniella occidentalis. BioControl48 (4): 417-429.   [PDF]

Arthurs, S. (Post-doc) and K. M. Heinz. 2003. Thrips parasitic nematode Thripinema nicklewoodi (Tylenchida: Allantonematidae) reduces feeding, reproductive fitness and tospovirus transmission by its host, Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Environmental Entomology. 32(4): 853-858.  [PDF]

Arthurs, S. (Post-doc), P.C. Krauter (Research Associate), K.M. Heinz, and S. Thompson (Research Associate). 2002. In vivo rearing of Thripinema nicklewoodi (Tylenchida: Allantomatidae) and prospects as a biological control agent of Franliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Journal of Economic Entomology. 95 (4): 668-674. [PDF]

Bográn, C.E. (Ph.D. student) and K.M. Heinz. 2002. Host selection by the heteronomous hyperparasitoid Encarsia pergandiella: multiple-choice tests using Bemisia argentifolii as a primary host. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata. 103 (1): 11-21. [PDF]

Mason, J. (Post-doc) and K.M. Heinz. 2002. Biology of Thripinema nicklewoodi (Tylenchida: Allantonematidae), an obligate parasite of Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera). Journal of Nematology 34 (4): 332-339. [PDF]

Ode, P.J. (Ph. D. student) and K. M. Heinz. 2002. Host-size dependent sex ratio theory and improving mass-reared parasitoid sex ratios. Biological Control 24 (1): 31-41. [PDF]

Lim, U.T.(U. Mass Ph.D. student), R.G. van Driesche (U. Mass faculty), and K.M. Heinz. 2002. Biological attributes of Thripinema nicklewoodi, a potential biological control agent of western flower thirps. Biological Control 22(3): 300-306. [PDF]

Bográn, C.E. (Ph.D. student), K.M. Heinz, and M.A. Ciomperlik (USDA – Aphis scientist). 2002. Interspecific competition among three insect parasitoids. Ecology. 83(3): 653-668.   [PDF]

Prasifka, J.R. (Ph.D. student), K.M. Heinz, and C.G. Sansone (TCE extension specialist). 2001. Field testing rubidium marking for quantifying intercrop movement of predatory arthropods. Environmental Entomology 30(4): 711 – 719. [PDF]

Krauter, P.C. (Research associated), C.G. Sansone (TCE extension specialist), & K.M. Heinz. 2001. Assessment of Gaucho^® seed treatment effects on beneficial insect abundance in sorghum. Southwestern Entomology 26(2): 143-146. [PDF]

Smith, C.R. (M.A. student), K.M. Heinz, C.G. Sansone (TCE extension specialist), & J.L. Flexner (DuPont Agriculture scientist). 2000. Impact of recombinant baculovirus applications on target heliothines and non-target predators of cotton. Biological Control 19(3): 201-214. [PDF]

Smith, C.R (M.A. student), K.M. Heinz, C.G. Sansone (TCE estension specialist), & J.L. Flexner (DuPont Agriculture scientist). 2000. Impact of recombinant baculovirus field applications on a non-target heliothine parasitoid, Microplitis crociepes (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Journal of Economic Entomology 93(4): 1109-1117. [PDF]

Li, J (Post-doc). & K.M. Heinz. 2000. Genome complexity and organization in the red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta Buren. Genetical Research 75(2): 129-135. [PDF]

Heinz, K.M., J.R. Brazzle (M.A. student), M.P. Parrella (UC Davis faculty), C.H. Pickett (CDFA scientist). 1999. Field evaluations of augmentative releases of Delphastus catalinae (Horn) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) for suppression of Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) infesting cotton. Biological Control. 16(3): 241-251. [PDF]

Prasifka, J.R. (Ph.D. student), P.K. Krauter (Research associate), K.M. Heinz, C.G. Sansone (TCE extension specialist), & R.R. Minzenmayer (TCE extension agent – IPM). 1999. Predator conservation in cotton: Using grain sorghum as a source for insect predators. Biological Control. 16(2): 223-229. [PDF]

Li, J., K.M. Heinz, J.L. Flexner (DuPont Agriculture scientist), & B.F. McCutchen (DuPont Agriculture scientist). 1999. Effects of recombinant baculoviruses on three nontarget heliothine predators. Biological Control 15(3): 293-302.