I am an entomologist with a broad range of interests. My lab's research is mainly focused on stored-product entomology. However, I also have students also working on insects of medical and veterinary importance. My particular interests include: Integrated Pest Management of stored rice, mosquito/dog heartworm interactions, forensic entomology, and dung beetles. See student projects for descriptions of various research projects.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Cottone, C.B., A. L. Salanski, T. McKay and C.D. Steelman. 2014. Molecular detection of Campylobacter spp. and Ecoli O157:H7 carried by filth flies (Diptera: Muscidae) associated with turkey production facilities. Midsouth Entomologist 7:1-7.

Chiavacci, S., J. C. Bednarz and T. McKay. 2014. The emergence densities of annual cicadas increase with sapling density and are greater near edges in a bottomland hardwood forest. Environmental Entomology 43: 859-867.

Wang, D., D. D. Bowman, H. Brown, L.C. Harrington, P.E. Kaufman, T. McKay, C. T. Nelson, J. L. Sharp and R. Lund. 2014. Factors influencing U.S. canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) prevalence. Parasites & Vectors 7:264.

McKay, T., K. Yanowitz, A. Ross and S. Vanderpool. 2014. Don't swat that fly! Using house flies in the inquiry classroom. Science Scope 37: 22-28.

McKay, T., T. Bianco, L. Rhodes and S. Barrnet. 2013. Prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis (Nematoda: Filarioidea) in mosquitoes from northeast Arkansas, USA. Journal of Medical Entomology 50: 871-878.

Brown, H., L. Harrington, P.E. Kaufman, T. McKay, D.D. Bowman, C.T. Nelso, D. Wang and R. Lind. 2012. Key factors influencing canine heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis, in the United States. Parasites & Vectors 5: 245.

Gaspar, J., T. McKay, and M. Huss. 2012. First report of Aedes japonicus in natural and artifical habitats in northeast Arkansas. JOurnal of the AMerican Mosquito Control Association 28: 38-42.

Fiene, J. G., M. B. Connior, R. Androw, B. Baldwin and T. McKay. 2011. Surveys of Arkansas dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae and Geotrupidae): Phenologies, mass occurrences, state and distributional records. American Midland Naturalist 165: 319-337.

Yanowitz, K. L., T. McKay, C. A. Ross and S. S. Vanderpool. 2010. CSI: Creating Student (and teacher) investigators: Using popular culture in professional development. Journal of Technology and Teacher Education 18: 263-283.

McKay, T. and T. Herman. 2008. Thermoregulation in three species of damselflies (Odonata: Lestidae), with notes on temporal distribution and microhabitat use. Odonatologica 37 (1): 29-39.

Milanovich, J. R., S. E. Trauth and T. McKay. 2008. Diet of the western slimy salamander Plethodon albagula (Caudata: Plethodontidae), from two mountain ranges in Arkansas. Southeastern Naturalist 7 (2): 323-330.

McKay, T. and A. B. Broce. 2008. Host size and oviposition site effects on the sex ratio of the pupal parasitoid Muscidifurax zaraptor (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America 101 (3): 650-655.

McKay. T, C. D. Steelman, S. M. McElroy, and A. L. Szalanski. 2007. Sustained Mass Release of Pupal Parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) for Control of Hydrotaea aenescens and Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae) in Broiler-Breeder Poultry Houses in Arkansas. Journal of Agricultural and Urban Entomology 24: 67-85.

Dry, F., D. C. Steinkraus, C. D. Steelman, R. W. McNew and T. McKay. 2007. Survey of parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) of house fly (Diptera: Muscidae) pupae from broiler-breeder poultry houses in Northwest Arkansas. Biocontrol Science and Technology 17 (7): 757-763.

McElroy, S. M., A. L. Szalanski, T. McKay, A. J. Bermudez, C. B. Owens, and C. D. Steelman.  2005.  Molecular assay for the detection of Cochlosoma anatis in house flies and turkey specimens by polymerase chain reaction.  Veterinary Parasitology 127: 165-168.

Szalanski, A. L., C. B. Owens, T. McKay, and C. D. Steelman.  2004.  Detection of Campylobacter sp., and Escherichia coli O157:H7 from filth flies by polymerase chain reaction.  Medical and Veterinary Entomology 18:241-246.