Yukio Ishikawa  

Professor  [List of research papers]

My publications are downloadable at http://www.mendeley.com/profiles/yukio-ishikawa/

[Birth date] March 3, 1954      [Birth place] Tokyo, Japan

[Education]
1977 Bachelor, Faculty of Agriculture, The University of Tokyo
1979 Master's Degree, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, The University of Tokyo

[Professional career]
1979.7 Research Associate, The University of Tokyo
　　   (1984.11-1986.10 Visiting Research Associate at Michigan State University)
1994.1- 2010.3  Associate Professor, The University of Tokyo　　　                                       2010.4 -  Professor

[Degree]
1984 Doctor of Agriculture (The University of Tokyo)

[Doctoral thesis]
Studies on the attractants for the onion and seedcorn maggots, Delia antiqua and D. platura

[Educational activities]
Undergraduate Course: 1) Insect Physiology 2) Experimental Training for Agricultural Science       I, II, III      3) Field Training I, II

Graduate course: 1) Special lecture on Entomology II 2) Integrated Pest Management 3) Seminar on Basic Biology I, II 4) Special Seminar on Agricultural and Environmental Biology

[Academic activities]
1) Japanese Society of Applied Entomology and Zoology, Secretary General 1999-2000, member since 1978. 2) International Society of Chemical Ecology.

[Committees]
1) Committee on International Activities. 2) Committee on Self Examination 3) Committee on Human Rights 4) Committee on Patent Right

[Research interests]

I am interested in the 'Biology' of the onion maggot Delia antiqua, the Asian corn borer and its allied species Ostrinia spp., and the yellow-spotted longicorn beetle Psacothea hilaris. The final objective of my research is to clarify the 'life' of these species from physiological, biochemical and chemical ecological points of view. To reach this goal, I am currently studying these insects from the following aspects:

As to the Onion maggot, Delia antiqua, the research efforts are now focused on 'Diapause' and 'Cold hardiness' of this insect, although I have conducted researches on 'Host plant - insect relationships' of this insect for more than 20 years.

As to the Ostrinia spp., I have first tried to clarify the phylogenetic relationships of Ostrinia species inhabiting Japan, because this information is necessary to analyze the evolutionary changes that happed to this group of insects. In parallel, the sex pheromones of Ostrinia spp. have been investigated. In the next a few years, I intend to clarify the factors that determine host plant preference. Overall, the research goal is to clarify the evolutionary changes of host plant specificity and sex pheromone communication system in Ostrinia.
In the course of these studies, we found the occurrence of biased sex ratio towards female in this genus. We have clarified that one of the cause of this phenomenon is bacterial infection; the bacteria Wolbachia has been shown to induce specific death of genetic males (male-killing).

As to the yellow-spotted longicorn beetle, characteristics and photoperiodic control of diapause in this species have been intensively studied. Cold hardiness of this insect was also studied to examine if at what stage this species has the capability for overwintering.

Recent Achievements

Phylogenetic Relationships of Ostrinia spp. in Japan  

Sex Pheromones Compositions of Japanese Ostrinia spp.  

Hostplants of Japanese Ostrinia spp.