Veteran Entomologist and Insect Enthusiast Reveals Secrets of Mysterious Mayflies
By Jennifer Merrill, Ph.D.
Since 1975, Dave Funk has been a contributor to the science team at Stroud Water Research Center. His 49-year career at the Stroud Center began with an undergraduate course led by Robin Vannote, Ph.D., the Stroud Center’s first executive director. Although Dave officially retired in 2024, he still publishes research articles and works in the lab most days.
I sat down with Dave to ask about his most recent publication, “Ameletus Mayflies (Ephemeroptera: Ameletidae) of the Eastern Nearctic,” which includes the identification of six new species of mayfly. Not a genetic specialist by trade, I found the story of these parthenogenetic mayflies fascinating! I think you will, too.
Dive Deeper
- Read the paper.
- See how the Stroud Center studies mayflies to understand stream health.
- Watch Funk’s amazing video, now viewed more than 135,000 times, of mayfly eggs hatching just one minute after being laid.
- Learn more about Dave and his lifelong passion for insects.
