Dr. Rudolf Scheffrahn
Professor of Entomology
Dr. Scheffrahn's work focuses on taxonomy, biology, and control of termites with emphasis on exotic species and drywood termites worldwide.
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Research
Dr. Scheffrahn's graduate studies focused on the chemical ecology of drywood termite feeding deterrents and the defensive secretions of desert termites. His first taxonomic paper on termites (with Dr. Mike Rust) was a 1983 redescription of Tenuirostritermes cinereus from Texas. Since then, Dr. Scheffrahn has authored or coauthored dozens of taxonomic works on many termite groups from all over the world. Unbelievably for such an important insect Order, I am currently the only termite taxonomist in North American. Other research directly or indirectly related to termites includes fumigant efficacy and residue analysis, termite prevention and control, and cooperative research projects with many colleagues in disciplines other than Entomology including Molecular Taxonomy, Nematology, Protozoology, Microbiology, Geomatics, Primatology, and Archeology (see references below).
Termite Collection
Dr. Scheffrahn has had the opportunity to assemble the largest contemporary collection (post-1985) in the world with over 44,000 colony samples (University of Florida Termite Collection, Davie, FL) acquired during over 100 expeditions to 39 countries. Without the great field support of many colleagues this collection would not have been possible. Professionals from the pest control industry have also contributed many valuable structure-infesting specimens to the collection. Collection data are digitized and can be sorted and mapped for any purpose. Over 1,000 samples have been submitted for CO1 sequencing to the Barcode of Life Data Systems for clarification of morphological variation within new termite genera and species. - Dr. Scheffrahn' s Web Pages
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Education
University of California, Riverside, BS Entomology, 1978
University of California, Riverside, MS Entomology, 1981
University of California, Riverside, PhD Entomology (Chemistry minor), 1984 - Publications