YOUR INDUSTRY
ON PLEASING BEES: THE REMARKABLE LIFE OF PROFESSOR STEPHEN WRATTEN Words by Heather Woods worldwide over last thirty years and wanted to make a difference by helping to reduce the use of pesticides. Not because we don't need them, but to use an alternative that is better for the environment and for our health. He will be remembered for his genuine dedication to teaching and sharing knowledge with his students, and for making ecosystems services in productive agriculture the lifelong centrepiece of his work.
The Visionary
Stephen David Wratten, 6th of April 1947 – 8th of March 2021
Professor Travis Glare (director of the Bio-Protection Research Centre), Helen Barnes (general manager of TomatoesNZ) and Emiliano Veronesi (PhD student) share their memories of Professor Steve Wratten. Professor Stephen Wratten was a remarkable man. Not just for his down-to-earth nature, but for his vision – and his persistence to make things happen. He was an expert in ecosystem services with the ecological view that insects could be used to control insects, and that companion planting could provide nectar that would increase the longevity of parasitoids. In recent years he had branched out into bee health with a focus on ‘dirty water’ — water with minerals and other things in it — and how this would improve overall bee health. He had a keen interest in the tomato sector, and Emiliano and Travis both say he had new ideas every few weeks. His theory was simple: we can always do more, to do better. Travis quoted him as saying, “It’s a privilege to work in a university and I’ll never forget that.” He had genuine concerns about agriculture practices performed
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NZGROWER : MAY 2021
Steve wanted to create natural controls in a production system. He was an expert in ecology and biological control of pests; he was also an advocate for the use of non-crop plants to provide shelter, nectar, alternative food and pollen. So much so, that the Bio-Protection Research Centre (a collaboration of scientists across number of institutions) provided a ‘bunch of weeds’ bouquet for his funeral. They represented the plants he advocated for as shelter for insects. Helen says, “It was a nice touch; people truly understood what he stood for, and those that knew him could relate too.” Steve was a sought-after academic who was always ready to share interesting insights into ecology, the environment and the world at large. There’s generally a separation between research and industry, but Steve bridged that gap. His communication skills made him attractive to industry. He didn't overcomplicate things; his ideas weren't simple, but he presented them as simple ideas.
His theory was simple: we can always do more, to do better It is this kind of thinking, Helen says, that generated his significant contribution to the tomato sector over the last few years; it completely changed their direction. His wealth of knowledge and experience was influential for creating practical solutions from which growers would truly benefit. Like the use of ‘good insects’ in greenhouses to manage pests – without pesticides. Some of Steve’s recent work under the James Cook Research Fellowship addressed the threat to bee populations and their pollination efficacy.
