University of Hawai‘i at Manoa
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Last updated on Monday, July 7, 2025    Make updates ->

Surendra Dara

Name :

Surendra Dara

Title :

Maui County Administrator

Unit :

Administration

Office :

Kahului Extension Office (CARES Kahului)

Address :

310 W Kaahumanu Ave. Bldg. 214
                  Kahului, HI 96732

Phone :

(808) 244-3242 ext. 223

E-mail :

sdara@hawaii.edu

Specialties :

Dr. Surendra Dara is an entomologist with more than 25 years of experience in IPM and microbial control. He worked on numerous invasive and endemic species of arthropods and plant pathogens. Dr. Dara has a strong research and extension background working on irrigation, nutrient, and pest management issues, biostimulants, and biological soil amendments to develop sustainable agricultural solutions. His research and extension covered commodities such as alfalfa, cassava, cotton, nursery crops, ornamentals, small fruits, and vegetables serving agricultural communities locally, regionally, and internationally. Dr. Dara has authored/co-authored more than 400 scientific and extension articles, which include three co-edited books, four co-edited special issues of journals, 25 book chapters, and 60+ peer-reviewed articles. He has extensive international outreach experience training farmers in Bangladesh, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Kosovo, Moldova, Mozambique, Myanmar, and Zimbabwe. He received multiple national awards for his internationally recognized research and extension work. He holds editorial responsibilities for multiple journals and offices in the Society for Invertebrate Pathology and the Entomological Society of America.

Professional Prep/Appointments :


1989     BSc(Ag) in Agricultural Sciences, Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University, India
1991     MSc(Ag) in Entomology, Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University, India
1995     PhD in Entomology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
2001     Diploma in Applied Information Technology, Information Technology Institute, Calgary, Canada

Recent Publications (since 2020)

Books/Manuals/Journal Special Issues and Book chapters:

  1. Kaur, N. and S. K. Dara. 2025. Pacific Northwest Insect Management Handbook. Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR. https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect.  Submitted
  2. Dara, S. K. Arthropod pests of nursery crops in the Pacific Northwest.
  3. Dara, S. K. Plant health: integrated pest management.  In Encyclopedia of Food Systems and Agriculture, 3rd edition, ed. J. Burns.  Elsevier, United Kingdom.  In print
  4. Dara, S. K., J. Bi, and M. P. Bolda.  2024. Arthropod management in organic strawberries. In: Organic Strawberry Production Manual. UCANR Publication.  Accepted.
  5. Dara, S. K. 2024. Role of marketing and outreach for the success of entomopathogenic nematodes. In Entomopathogenic nematodes as biological control agents. Eds. D. I. Shapiro-Ilan and E. E. Lewis, pp. 229-235. CABI, Oxfordshire, UK. https://doi.org/10.1079/9781800620322.0013
  6. Rodriguez-Saona, C. and S. K. Dara. 2024. Entomopathogenic nematodes in berry crops. In Entomopathogenic nematodes as biological control agents. Eds. D. I. Shapiro-Ilan and E. E. Lewis, pp. 312-332. CABI, Oxfordshire, UK. https://doi.org/10.1079/9781800620322.0018
  7. Dara, S. K., C. Rodriquez-Saona, and W. R. Morrison III.  2023.  Integrated pest management strategies for sustainable food production.  Front. Sustain. Food Syst. special issue. https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/31609/integrated-pest-management-strategies-for-sustainable-food-production#articles
  8. Rodriguez-Saona, C. and S. K. Dara.  2022.  Advances in crop resistance for insect pest control.  Frontiers in Agronomy special issue.  https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/12940/advances-in-crop-resistance-for-insect-pest-control#articles
  9. Dara, S. K. 2022. Role of entomopathogenic microorganisms in IPM. In Advances in integrated pest management technology: Innovative and applied aspects. Ed. A. S. Tanda, Springer, pp. 145-155.
  10. Dara, S. K. 2021. Biological inoculants and biopesticides in small fruit and vegetable production in California. In Advances in bioinoculants: biopesticides Volume 2. Ed. A. Rakshit, V. S. Meena, P. C. Abhilash, B. K. Sarma, H. B. Singh, L. Fraceto, M. Parihar, and A. K. Singh, Elsevier, pp. 277-283. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-823355-9.00001-8 or https://tinyurl.com/biologicalinputs
  11. Dara, S. K. 2021. Advances in biostimulants as an integrated pest management tool in horticulture. In Improving integrated pest management in horticulture. Ed. R. Collier, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited. https://dx.doi.org/10.19103/AS.2021.0095.03 or https://tinyurl.com/BiostimulantsinIPM
  12. Dara, S. K. 2021. The principles of the application of biopesticides in organic farming. In Biopesticides in organic farming: recent advances. Ed. L. P. Awasthi, Taylor and Francis, pp. 11-13.
  13. Dara, S. K. 2021. Integrated insect pest management in economically important crops. In Biopesticides in organic farming: recent advances. Ed. L. P. Awasthi, Taylor and Francis, pp. 295-303.
  14. Dara, S. K. 2021. Constraints and challenges in the popularization of biopesticides in organic farming. In Biopesticides in organic farming: recent advances. Ed. L. P. Awasthi, Taylor and Francis, pp. 349-353.
  15. Dara, S. K., R. W. Behle, and S. P. Arthurs. 2021. Entomopathogens for sustainable food production. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems special issue https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/11865/entomopathogens-for-sustainable-food-production
  16. Dara, S. K. 2021. Microbial metabolites as pesticides. In Microbial metabolites for sustainable insect pest management. Eds. M. A. Khan and W. Ahmad, Springer, pp 75-88. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-67231-7_4
  17. Dara, S. K. and R. A. Humber. 2020. Entomophthoran. In Beneficial microbes in agro-ecology: volume 2: bacteria and fungi. Eds. N. Amaresan, K. M. Senthil, K. Annapurna, K. Kumar, and A. Sankaranarayanan. Elsevier. pp 757-775. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-823414-3.00039-3
  18. Dara, S. K. 2020. Implementation of IPDM in strawberries and other berries. In Pest and disease management in greenhouse crops, Plant Pathology in the 21st Century. Eds. Gullino, M. L., A. Albajes, P. Nicot, and J. C. van Lenteren. Springer. pp. 597-624 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22304-5_21

Editorials and other related non-peer reviewed articles:

  1. Dara, S. K., C. Rodriquez-Saona, and W. R. Morrison III.  2023.  Integrated pest management strategies for sustainable food production.  Front. Sustain. Food Syst. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1224604
  2. Rodriguez-Saona, C., E. de Lange, and S. K. Dara.  2022.  Editorial: Advances in crop resistance for insect pest control.  Front. Agron. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fagro.2022.845961/full
  3. Dara, S. K., R. W. Behle, and S. P. Arthurs.  2021.  Editorial: Entomopathogens for sustainable food production.  Front. Sustain. Food Syst.  https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2021.672404

Peer-reviewed Journal articles:

  1. Dara, S. K. 2025. Awareness, use, and perception of biologicals in integrated pest management on the US West Coast.  JIPM https://doi.org/10.1093/jipm/pmaf026.  In print.
  2. Yanagawa, A., N.P.R.A. Krishanti, A. Sugiyma, E. Chrysanti, S. K. Ragamustari, M. Kubo, C. Furumizu, S. Sawa, S. K. Dara, and M. Kobayashi. Evaluating the non-entomopathogenic interactions of Beauveria bassiana and Cordyceps fumosorosea with Fusarium oxysporum, Meloidogyne incognita, and Zingiber officinale. J. Natural Medicines https://doi.org/10.1007/s11418-021-01572-4
  3. Kiran Kumar, K. and S. K. Dara. 2021. Fungal and bacterial endophytes as microbial control agents for plant-parasitic nematodes. Int. J. Env. Res. Pub. Health. 18: 4269. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18084269

Other peer-reviewed and UCCE Publications:

  1. Dara, S. K. and N. Kaur. 2024. Concepts of IPM.  In: Kaur, N., editor. Pacific Northwest Insect Management Handbook. Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR. https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/ipm/concepts-ipm
  2. Dara, S. K., J. Green, and K. Buhl. 2022. Are pesticides safe? Oregon State University Extension Service.  English: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/pests-weeds-diseases/ipm/are-pesticides-safe and Spanish: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/es/pests-weeds-diseases/ipm/are-pesticides-safe

Other Publications-Magazines, proceedings, non-peer reviewed journals:

  1. Dara, S. K.  2024.  Biopesticides: market, use, research and education needs, and future.  January issue of West Coast Nut, pp. 26-28.
  2. Dara, S. K.  2023.  Entomopathogenic fungi-based biopesticides contribute to more than pest management.  CAPCA Adviser 26(6): 48-51.
  3. Dara, S. K. and R. C. Bocco. 2022. The invasive spotted lanternfly and its risk to California. Progressive Crop Consultant 7(2): 15-19.
  4. Dara, S. K. and R. C. Bocco. 2022. Spotted lanternfly risk to California walnuts. February issue of West Coast Nut, pp. 72-74.
  5. Dara, S. K. and D. Peck. 2021. Efficacy of Biological fungicides in managing gray mold in strawberry. Progressive Crop Consultant 6(6): 4-7 and Organic Farmer 4(6): 22-26.
  6. Dara, S. K. 2021. Managing western flower thrips in lettuce. Vegetables West 25(6): 8-9.
  7. Dara, S. K. 2021. Biopesticides and their role in integrated pest management. CAPCA Adviser 24(2): 46-48.
  8. Dara, S. K. 2021. Enhancing diamondback moth management with mating disruption. Progressive Crop Consultant 6(2): 30-34.
  9. Dara, S. K. 2021. Impact of microbial, botanical, and organic acid-based biostimulants on strawberry health and yield. CAPCA Adviser 24(1): 30-35.
  10. Dara, S. K. 2021. Soil application of fungicides in strawberry and potential impact on crop health and yields. Progressive Crop Consultant 6 (1): 10-14.
  11. Dara, S. K. 2021. Diamondback moth mating disruption: promising new IPM tool for vegetable growers. Vegetables West 25 (1): 10-13, 22.
  12. Dara, S. K. 2020. Impact of some biostimulants in improving strawberry yields. Progressive Crop Consultant 5(6): 32-34.
  13. Dara, S. K. 2020. Integrated pest management: advances in sustainable food production and food security. Research Outreach, September. https://researchoutreach.org/articles/integrated-pest-management-advances-sustainable-food-production-food-security/
  14. Dara, S. K. 2020. Biological pesticides in nut crops: a look at use strategies and the risk of resistance development. September issue of West Coast Nut, pp. 48-50.
  15. Dara, S. K. 2020. Update on the spotted lanternfly: an invasive pest in the eastern United States. Wine Business Monthly. 27 (7): 62-65.
  16. Dara, S. K. 2020. Arthropod resistance to biopesticides. Organic Farmer 3(4): 16-19. http://organicfarmermag.com/2020/08/arthropod-resistance-to-biopesticides/
  17. Dara, S. K. 2020. Preparing for the invasive spotted lanternfly threat. Progressive Crop Consultant 5 (3): 36-40.
  18. Dara, S. K., S. S. Dara, and S.S.R. Dara. 2020. Managing Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum Race 4 with beneficial microorganisms including entomopathogenic fungi. Acta Horticulturae 1270: 111-116. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2020.1270.11
  19. Dara, S. K. 2020. Learn the new IPM model for producing strawberries. February 2020 issues of American Fruit Grower, American Vegetable Grower, Florida Grower, Greenhouse Grower, Western Fruit Grower, and the special report on Biocontrols. Published in February 2020.
  20. Dara, S. K. 2020. Biologicals in sustainable food production: why and how? Proceedings of the 2020 New Jersey Agricultural Convention and Trade Show and New Jersey Vegetable Growers Meeting, 4-6 February 2020, Atlantic City, NJ.

eJournal articles: At https://ucanr.edu/blog/e-journal-entomology-and-biologicals and https://ucanr.edu/blog/pest-news

  1. Dara, S. K.  2024.  RNAi technology: another biological tool in the IPM arsenal.  eJournal of Entomology and Biologicals, 27 March, 2024.  A condensed version will be published in the May issue of Progressive Crop Consultant. (Counted only once for the total number of publications.)
  2. Dara, S. K.  2024.  Entomopathogenic fungi-based biopesticides contribute to more than pest management.  Republished from the December 2023 issue of CAPCA Adviser in eJournal of Entomology and Biologicals, 24 January, 2024. (Counted only once for the total number of publications.)
  3. Dara, S. K. 2022. Integrated pest management options for the western flower thrips in lettuce. eJournal of Entomology and Biologicals, 1 April, 2022.
  4. Dara, S. K. 2021. Integrated pest management strategy for the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella. eJournal of Entomology and Biologicals, 16 December, 2021.
  5. Dara, S. K. and R. C. Bocco. 2021. Spotted lanternfly risk in California: acreage, value, and distribution of various hosts. e Journal of Entomology and Biologicals, 24 November, 2021.
  6. Dara, S. K. and C. DiCicco. 2021. Evaluating lures for western grapeleaf skeletonizer monitoring in vineyards. eJournal of Entomology and Biologicals, October 6, 2021.
  7. Dara, S. K. and D. Peck. 2021. Efficacy of new and experimental biological fungicides against botrytis fruit rot in strawberry: a 2021 study.
  8. Dara, S. K. 2021. Spotted lanternfly resources for Californians and others. eJournal of Pest News, 28 April, 2021.
  9. Dara, S. K. 2021. Biopesticides: categories and use strategies for IPM and IRM. eJournal of Entomology and Biologicals, 18 March, 2021.
  10. Dara, S. K. 2020. Mating disruption as an IPM tool in diamondback moth management. eJournal of Entomology and Biologicals, 12 November, 2020.
  11. Dara, S. K. 2020. Evaluating biological fungicides against Botrytis and other fruit rots in strawberry. eJournal of Entomology and Biologicals, 22 September, 2020
  12. Dara, S. K. 2020. Impact of drip application of fungicides on strawberry health and yields. eJournal of Entomology and Biologicals, 14 September, 2020.
  13. Dara, S. K. 2020. Improving strawberry yields with biostimulants and nutrient supplements: a 2019-2020 study. eJournal of Entomology and Biologicals, 10 September, 2020.

Newsletter articles: 

  1. Dara, S. K.  2024. New user-friendly pesticide database. The Consultant, June issue.
  2. Dara, S. K. 2023. Summer research and outreach. NWREC News, September issue.


Languages :


English, Telugu, and Hindi