Entomologist
Entomology Group
Director of Facilities
Facilities Department
Contact
dfunk@stroudcenter.org
tel. 610-268-2153, ext. 237
970 Spencer Road, Avondale, PA 19311
Interests and Expertise
I am interested in all aspects of aquatic insect biology, especially the resolution of species using genetics, reproductive biology, and life history data. I have also combined my interests in entomology and photography to produce a large collection of images of aquatic insects in their native habitat.
Publications
Space colonization by branching trachea explains the morphospace of a simple respiratory organ
See all publications by Stroud Center authors
Photography
I have been taking pictures of insects for more than 35 years and have developed special equipment such as a shallow underwater rig (pictured below) for taking in-stream photos of aquatic insects. My photographs have appeared in numerous books and magazines, including Natural History, Scientific American, Ranger Rick, National Wildlife, Wings (Xerces Society), BBC Wildlife, and Nature Australia.
- Ameletus ludens mayfly larva photographed in White Clay Creek, Pennsylvania.
- David Funk using his shallow underwater photography rig.
- Special rig for taking pictures of living insects on stream bottoms.
- Epeorus pleuralis mayfly larva nestled among aquatic mosses in Rondout Creek, New York.
- Brachycentrus caddisfly larva in Neversink River, New York.
- Blepharicerid fly larvae crawling across the face of a waterfall in the Bear Kill, New York.
- Two Epeorus mayfly larvae in the Beaverkill River, New York. The upper specimen has recently molted.
- Tallaperla maria stonefly adult emerged from Spring Creek, Pennsylvania.
- Ephemerella dorothea mayfly, adult male emerged from White Clay Creek, Pennsylvania
- Eurylophella oviruptis mayfly, a recently-described species from swamp streams in North Carolina (female sub-adult).
Related News
The Hidden World of Stream Insects
Modeling Mayflies to Understand the Challenges of a Warming Planet
Stories From the Streams: Salty Streams
Test Your Skills With the #MysteryMacro Quiz
Mayfly Eggs Hatching a Minute After Being Laid
Monitoring the Health of the Susquehanna
Mystery Midge with “Kite Tail” Eggs
Mystery Midge with “Kite Tail” Eggs
Could Rising Temps Be Killing Mayflies, Threatening Streams? Scientists Investigate.
Sharing Our Science: Winter-Spring 2016
2015 Stroud Center Publications
UpStream Newsletter, December 2013
UpStream Newsletter, July 2013
UpStream Newsletter, June 2013
Monitors Find Healthy Signs in Hay Creek Near Birdsboro
UpStream Newsletter, Spring 2008
UpStream Newsletter, Fall 2001
UpStream Newsletter, Spring 2000