Faculty
Dong-Hwan Choe
Assistant Cooperative Extension Specialist and Assistant Professor
Location: Entomology 382
Tel: (951) 827-5717
E-mail: donghwan.choe@ucr.edu
Research Specialization
My research focuses on three major areas: urban entomology, insect behavior, and chemical ecology. In particular, my research has focused on exploring innate and learned behaviors of economically or environmentally important insect species to develop more effective integrated pest management (IPM) programs.
I use manipulative laboratory studies to investigate how the behaviors of pest insects can be exploited to improve management and to develop novel management techniques. I also use field studies to test the feasibility of these new techniques in real-world conditions. I draw upon my expertise in behavioral ecology, experimental design, chemical ecology and analytical chemistry to illuminate the biology of target insects, and to inform the design of new approaches for control. In addition to the bioassays involving chemistry, physiology, behavior, and toxicology, the effort to incorporate the behavioral information of target species into the working IPM program often requires extensive design, manufacturing, and testing of devices in the field. To meet these goals, I work with other researchers especially from industries and other academic disciplines when possible.
Subjects of current work include necrophoresis of ants, development of new control strategy for pest ants, bed bug detection and control, and development of web-based resource for urban pest management.
Degrees
BA Agriculture 2002
Korea University
MS Entomology 2005
University of California, Riverside
PhD Entomology 2009
University of California, Riverside
Publications
► Choe, D.-H., S. R. Ramírez, N. D. Tsutsui. 2012. A silica gel based method for extracting insect surface hydrocarbons. J. Chem. Ecol. (DOI: 10.1007/s10886-012-0074-1)
► van Wilgenburg, E., A. Felden, D.-H. Choe, R. Sulc, J. Luo, K. J. Shea, M. A. Elgar, N. D. Tsutsui. 2012. Learning and discrimination of cuticular hydrocarbons in a social insect. Biol. Lett. 8:17-20.
► Forero, D., D.-H. Choe, C. Weirauch. 2011. Resin gathering in Neotropical resin bugs (Insecta: Hemiptera: Reduviidae): functional and comparative morphology. J. Morphol. 272: 204-229.
► Choe, D.-H., R. S. Vetter, M. K. Rust. 2010. Development of virtual bait stations to control Argentine ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in environmentally sensitive habitats. J. Econ. Entomol. 103: 1761-1769.
► Choe, D.-H., J. G. Millar, M. K. Rust. 2009. Chemical signals associated with life inhibit necrophoresis in Argentine ants. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA. 106: 8251-8255.
► Choe, D.-H., M. K. Rust. 2009. Dead ant walking. Pest Control Technology. 37: 48-55, 128.
► Choe, D.-H., M. K. Rust. 2008. Horizontal transfer of insecticides in laboratory colonies of the Argentine ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 101: 1397-1405.
► Choe, D.-H., M. K. Rust. 2007. Use of plant resin by a bee assassin bug, Apiomerus flaviventris (Hemiptera: Reduviidae). Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 100: 320-326.
► Choe, D.-H., M. K. Rust. 2006. Agonistic behavior of Argentine ants to scales and scale parasitoids and their cuticular extracts. Sociobiology. 48: 799-818.
► Choe, D.-H., M. K. Rust. 2006. Homopteran chemical signatures reduce aggression of tending ants. Chemoecology. 16: 175-178.