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
| IPM program for the macadamia industry |
RA Hayes (USC), R Huwer, C Maddox (NSW DPI) |
Horticulture Innovation Australia |
2017–2021 |
To study volatile attractants from Sigastus weevil (an emerging pest) and host plants for use in a monitoring trap in macadamia orchards |
|
Determination of host status of Australian finger limes to enable market access |
B Missenden, L Senior (DAF), RA Hayes (USC) |
Agricultural Trade and Market Access Cooperation, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources A$675,710 |
2017–2019 |
Australian finger lime producers cannot send fresh fruit to export markets such as Japan due to concerns over fruit fly. Scientific evidence suggests that finger limes are not a fruit fly host and this project aims to confirm the host status of finger limes and determine the reasons for this resistance |
|
Protecting Queensland's plantation timber resources from pest and disease incursions |
G. Pegg, M Griffiths (DAF), H Nahrung, RA Hayes (USC) |
DAF Forest Products A$214,069 |
2016–2017 |
The project will develop standardised methods to enhance early detection and response to post-border pest and disease incursions on exotic pines in Queensland |
|
External attractant trap for the Small Hive Beetle |
DM Leemon (DAF), RA Hayes (USC) |
RIRDC, Queensland Beekeepers Association, The Wheen Bee Foundation A$430,431 |
2014–2017 |
To develop a trap for the control and monitoring of the small hive beetle (Aethina tumida), a serious pest of European honeybees |
|
Sustainable control for biosecurity: Pheromones for control and monitoring of beetle borers |
RA Hayes, J Millar, (UC, Riverside) |
Queensland International Fellowship A$17,000 |
2012 |
Studies into the chemistry and ecology of the pheromones of cerambycid beetles |
|
Chemical communication in strepsirrhine primates |
PC Wright (SUNY), RA Hayes, T-L Morelli (SUNY), T Goodwin (Hendrix) |
Margot Marsh/ Conserv. Intl., NSF; Primate Conserv.;Wenner-Gren Foundation of Anthropological Research; AAAS A$200,000 |
2002–2012 |
Interactions between genetic relatedness and chemical communication in wild lemurs |
|
Semiochemicals and social signalling in the wild European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus (L)) |
RA Hayes, BJ Richardson (UWS) |
CRC for the Biological Control of Vertebrate Pest Populations A$6,700 |
1995–2000 |
Chemical communication controlling social status in wild European rabbits |
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.