Dr. Barry M. Wilk

Highest Achievement:  Raised two brilliant, talented, and handsome boys.

Education

• University of California, Berkeley 1966-1967

• University of California, Riverside.  1970-1974.  B.S. in Zoology in June 1972.  M.S. in Insect Behavior in March 1974.

• University of California, Berkeley.  Ph.D. in Entomology in 1984.  Field of emphasis:  Insect Ecology / Biological Control

Employment Background

1. Laboratory Helper.  Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside. August 1971 to October 1971

2. Laboratory Assistant.  Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside.  April 1972 to September 1972.

3. Research Associate.  Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside.  September 1972 to March 1974.

4. Staff Research Associate.  Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside.  March 1974 to July 1974 and University of California, Berkeley.  July 1974 to March 1981

5. Entomologist.  Ag Advisors, Inc.  1981 to 1982.

6. Co-President.  Scientific Methods, Inc.  1982 to present.

M.S. Thesis

Title:  Development of Practicable Methods for Disruption of Sex Pheromone Communication of Pectinophora gossypiella (Gelechiidae).

Major objectives of the study:

1. To determine the critical timing of sex pheromone release which insures maximum mating disruption with a minimum of chemical usage.

2. To determine the extent to which residual pheromone levels may disrupt mating.

3. To determine the ideal position of pheromone release sites during early and late season.

4. To evaluate the field activity of the pheromone over time.

5. To determine the role "edge effects" play in loss of mating disruption.

The purpose of this work was to gain critical information to aid in the implementation of a major 5000 acre sex pheromone mating disruption program under the direction of Dr. Harry H. Shorey.

Ph.D. Thesis

Title:  Bioclimatic studies of the walnut aphid, Chromaphis juglandicola Kaltenbach.

Major objectives of the study:

1. A comparison of the effects of constant versus smoothly fluctuating temperature patterns on the developmental rate, longevity, and fecundity of C. juglandicola.

2. To determine the bioclimatic interaction involved in the timing of the adult molt.

3. An evaluation of the various methods of threshold determination.

The purpose of this project was to study the relationship between certain climatic factors of the environment and the capacity for increase of a phytophagous insect.  To gather the necessary data, experiments were conducted using bioclimatic chambers which provided diurnally fluctuating temperature conditions.  Further, these data were compared with those obtained under constant temperature and humidity conditions.

Fields of Interest

My areas of specialization are:  insect ecology, biological control and animal behavior.  My main research interests lie in the interaction of insect host - natural enemy systems.  I consider such aspects as (1) the role of hyperparasitism, or more specifically, adelphoparasitism, (2) the differential influence of environmental factors upon the host and/or the natural enemy, and (3) the role of behavioral modifying chimicals in host - natural enemy systems to be fruitful avenues of research.

Membership in Professional Societies

• Entomological Society of America

• Pacific Coast Entomological Society

(Photo not yet available)

Dr. Clifford Y. Kitayama

Education

• San Jose State University, San Jose, CA June 1974.  B.S. Business Administration, Accounting and B.S. Entomology.
  
• Central Washington State College, Ellensburg, WA  1974-1975
  
• University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA.  M.S. Entomology:  Insect systematics - June 1978.  Ph.D. Entomology:  Biological Control - June 1983.

Employment Background

1. Research Assistant.  Department of Biology, Central Washington State College, Ellensburg, WA.  June 1974 to June 1975.
   
2. Research Technician.  USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Station.  May 1976 to August 1976 and May 1977 to August 1977.
   
3. Research Assistant.  Department of Entomology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA.  June 1977 to June 1980.
   
4. Co-President.  Scientific Methods, Inc.  1982 to present.

M.S. Thesis

Title:  Biosystematics of Anthicid Larvae (Coleoptera: Anthicidae)

Abstract:  A rearing procedure for anthicid larvae is described, the larvae of the family are characterized (sensu stricto) with a key to the known genera, and descriptions of the larvae of Mecynotarsus, Tanarthrus, Thicannus, Formicilla, Malporus, Anthicus, Omonadus, Notoxus, and Vacusus are presented.  Familial classification of anthicids and some other cucujoid genera is discussed, and a summary of the know biologies of anthicids is presented.

Ph.D. Thesis

Title:  The Biology and Ecology of Metaphycus funicularis Annecke, a Parasite of the Ice Plant Scale, Pulvinariella mesembryanthemi.

Abstract:  Metaphycus funicularis Annecke was introduced in California in May 1978 in a biological control program of the ice plant scales Pulvinariella mesembryanthemi (Vallot) and Pulvinaria delotti Gill.  It is a primary, internal, facultatively gregarious parasite, on second instar to adult scales.  Searching behavior, host feeding, mating and grooming behavior, sex ratio, ovipositional periodicity, host suitability and superparasitism are discussed.  M.  funicularis appears better suited to parasitizing P. mesembryanthemi than P. delottoi.  Although superparasitism cannot be clearly defined in a gregarious parasite, there appears to be definitive limits as to the maximum number of surviving parasites per scales.

It was discovered that the parasite can discriminate whether its host, Pulvinariella mesembryanthemi has been parasitized by members either of its own or of two other species. (M. stramineus Compere and Coccophagus cowperi Girault).  It shows significant avoidance of multiple parasitism, and probably avoids superparasitism, while still attempting to maximize scale utilization by its own species.

Developmental times at different constant temperatures were determined for Metaphycus funicularis.  A life table analysis was carried out for 27° C.

Establishment, vagility, dispersion, phenology, and inundative releases were examined in a field study of M. funicularis during the calendar year 1980.  Several  native hyperparasites, Cheiloneurus inimicus, C. noxius, Cheiloneurini sp., and Eusemion longipennis (all hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) were recorded from M. funicularis.

Other natural enemies of the ice plant scales that were released and recovered in the ice plant scale project were:  M. stramineus (Encyrtidae) and Exochomus flavipes (Coleptera: Coccindellidae).  Other parasites and predators introduced through previous biological control programs (Clausen, 1978), and recovered from ice plant scale were M. helvolus (Encyrtidae), Coccophagus lycimnia (Aphelinidae), and Rhyzobius sp., Cryptolaemus montrouzieri and Doimus debilis (the last three Coleoptera:  Coccinellidae). Leucopis sp., (Diptera: Chamaemyiidae), also recorded, is probably a native species.

Membership in Professional Societies

• Entomological Society of America
  
• Pan - Pacific Entomological Society
  
• Washington Entomological Society
  
• Coleopterists' Society
  
• Association of Applied Ecologists