Richard D. Fell

Professor (Ph.D., Cornell University)

Primary research interests are in social insect biology and behavior, including the reproductive biology of the honey bee, the biology and physiology of vespid wasps, the feeding and foraging behavior of carpenter ants, and the behavior of earwigs. Recent research projects include behavioral and physiological studies of queen honey bees,, studies on the pollination of agricultural crops, studies on the nest biology, foraging behavior, and food preference of carpenter ants, and studies of mating, courtship and aggregation behavior in the European earwig.

Teaching responsibilities include the general entomology course, Insect Biology and Insect Biology Laboratory, the apiculture course, Bees and Beekeeping (and Bees and Beekeeping Laboratory), Medical and Veterinary Entomology, and the graduate course Insect Behavior. Extension activities are primarily directed to working with the apiculture industry in Virginia and the development of education programs for the state's beekeepers.