Douglas Futuyma is recognized as one of the world's leading evolutionary biologists. His research is focused on the evolution and coevolution of ecological interactions among different species, especially between plants and herbivorous insects.

His work with insects and host plants began as research to account for all of the genetic variation that has occurred in evolution. He is well known as the author of a leading college textbook on biological evolution and of a trade book that addresses creationist opposition to teaching avolution.