Dr. Richard Rust
Professor
Entomology, insect ecology, pollination biology, systematics of bees
 

Biographical Information
Utah State University
1965, B.S., Zoology-Entomology
Utah State University
1967, M.S., Zoology-Entomology
University of California - Davis
1972, Ph.D., Entomology

Current Projects / Research Interests
My research interests are in the areas of population biology, biogeography, and systematics. The principal organisms of my studies are stinging Hymenoptera (bees) and sand obligate beetles. Major research projects treat pollen-nectar foraging, long term demographic patterns in cavity nesting bees and the offspring production and mortality of the native alkali bee, Nomia melanderi, a major pollinator of alfalfa in the western United States. I utilize both morphological and molecular characters in my work on biogeography and systematics of sand obligate beetles in the Basin and Range Province. I also maintain an active interest in natural history and bionomic investigations.

Selected Publications
Bosch, J., Y. Maeta and R. W. Rust. 2001. A phylogenetic analysis of nesting behavior in the genus Osmia (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Megachilidae). Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 94:617-627.

Rust, R. W., B. E. Vaissiere and P. Westrich. 2002. Pollinator biodiversity and floral resource use in Ecballium elaterium (Cucurbitaceae), A Mediterranean endemic. Apidologia. 34: 1-15

Rust, R. W. 2003. Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris L.) predation on alkali bees, Nomia melanderi Cockerell. Western North American Naturalist. 63: 224-228.

Kulkoyluoglu, O., C. Meisch and R. W. Rust. 2003. Thermopsis thermophila n. gen. n. sp. from hot springs in Nevada, U.S.A.(Crustacea, Ostracoda). Hydrobiologia. 499: 113-123.

Rust, R. W., G. Cambon, J. P. Torte Grosa and B. E. Vaissiere. 2004. Observations on the biology of Lithurgus chrysurus Fonscolombe, 1834 (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae). European Journal of Entomology. In press

Additional Links
Biological Resources Research Center
Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology Program

University of Nevada Reno
Biology Department m/s 314
Reno, NV 89557

email Dr. Richard Rust

Office phone
775-784-6188
FAX number
775-784-1302