Dr Andrew Hayes began his research career studying the blood–gas physiology of decapod crustacean, but soon moved to the exciting area of chemical ecology. This is the communication of organisms by the use of volatile chemicals, and can be used within a species for maintenance of social structure and territoriality or for finding an appropriate mate. Communication also occurs between species, where it is used for a variety of reasons, including finding host plants or warning others of poisonous effects. His early work on chemical ecology was investigating the signals used to maintain social status in wild European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). He stayed within the field of vertebrate chemical communication, studying signals related to genetic relatedness in lemurs (Propithecus edwardsii), predator odours in native rats (Uromys, Melomys and Rattus) and inter-specific signals in the cane toad (Bufo marinus). Since 2008 he has been studying the signals used by insects (produced by both insects and the plants they feed on), to find hosts and mates, and his research is focused on exploiting these signals to protect horticulture and forestry crops.
Professional Memberships
- Asia–Pacific Association for Chemical Ecology
- Australian Mammal Society
- Ecological Society of Australia Director (ECR) 2007–2015
- Entomological Society of Queensland
- International Association for Ecology
- International Society for Chemical Ecology
Awards
- 2011 Queensland International Fellowship
- 2005 University of Sydney Innovation Challenge Finalist
- 2000 Royal Zoological Society of NSW Award (best student poster presentation)
Professional Social Media
- ResearchGate *
- ResearcherID *
- ORCID *
- Scopus *
Research Grants
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Optimising an attractant trap for the small hive beetle |
RA Hayes (USC), K Farnier, JP Cunningham (AgVic) |
Agrifutures |
2022 - 2025 |
The small hive beetle (Aethina tumida) is a major pest of European honeybees. This project aims to improve and optimise a trap for the beetle, external to the hive, using attractive odours |
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Improving fruit and banana spotting bug control |
RA Hayes (USC), I Newton, S de Faveri, K Ledger, D Chambers (DAF), M Siderhurst (EMU)
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Hort Innovation |
2022 - 2027 |
The objective of this project is to develop a new improved Amblypelta lutescens trap that will have greater longevity and efficacy; and to develop a pheromone lure for the attraction and trapping of A. nitida. |
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West Indian drywood termite – frass chemistry, eNose detection and feeding trials |
RA Hayes, W Haigh (USC), C Fitzgerald (DAF) |
DAF Horticulture and Forestry Science |
2022 - 2023 |
The aim of this research is to assist transition to management of this pest by understanding host utilisation mechanisms of common Qld timbers, and using novel detection methods to detect infestations |
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Early detection of Panama TR4 using sensor technology |
RA Hayes (USC), L Coates, W O’Neill, K Pegg, T Shuey (DAF), S Samuelian (BQ) |
Biosecurity Queensland |
2021 - 2023 |
Panama disease (Tropical Race 4 – TR4) is the most devastating disease of bananas, this study aims to detect disease in pre-symptomatic plants infected with TR4, with additional sampling techniques being pursued, including automated sensor
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Managing Ips grandicollis bark beetles through anti-aggregation pheromones |
RA Hayes, S Afzal, H Nahrung, S Lawson (USC) |
Dept Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry |
2021 - 2024 |
The five-spined bark beetle (Ips grandicollis) is a major bark beetle pest of pine plantations. This research will use candidate push-pull compounds to potentially protect stressed trees, log stacks and Sirex trap trees from Ips colonisation, increasing salvage windows and protecting export markets |
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Assessment and characterisation of West Indian drywood termite volatiles |
RA Hayes (USC), C Fitzgerald, J Kennedy (DAF) |
DAF Horticulture and Forestry Science |
2020 - 2021 |
Assessment and characterisation of West Indian drywood termite volatiles, from cuticular hydrocarbons and frass |
HDR Students - Current
- Praneet Goundar: “Enhancing biological control of the five-spined engraver beetle, Ips grandicollis, in Australia”
- Somia Afzal: “Developing a push-pull semiochemical pest management strategy for control of Ips grandicollis in pine plantations”
- William Haigh: “West Indian Drywood termite: towards sustainable management of an invasive timber pest”
HDR Students - Completed
- Kate Ballard: “The bioactivity and functionality of the molecular and microbial components of snail mucus”
- Natalia Medieros de Souza: " Gonipterus weevils and their chemo-ecological relationship with eucalypt hosts".
- Flavia Sarti-Bonara: " Studies of plant interaction with pests and pathogens in Corymbia species and hybrids".
- Brogan Amos: “Insect-Fungus Symbiosis: Exploring the association between the small hive beetle (Aethina tumida) and the yeast Kodamaea ohmeri”
Research areas
- Chemical ecology
- Predator–prey interactions
- Insect–plant interactions
- Forestry entomology
- Invasive species
Dr Andrew Hayes' specialist areas of knowledge include chemical communication within animal species, used for maintaining social status, and for finding mates. He also studies communication between species, used for finding food or hosts. Over the last twenty years he has studied the chemoecology of a variety of species from rabbits, lemurs and cane toads to long-horned beetles, leaf beetles, mango seed weevils and eucalypts.