Professor Bruce McKenzie, Acting Vice-Chancellor at Lincoln University, has expressed his sadness at the death of Distinguished Professor Stephen Wratten. He writes:

Steve was a valued member of our Lincoln whānau, and he will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends at this time.  

Steve was awarded Lincoln University’s most prestigious title of Distinguished Professor in 2019. He also garnered many awards, including Fellowships of the Royal Society of New Zealand and the Entomological Society of America, and produced eight books and over 400 refereed publications.

He began an illustrious academic career as a lecturer in Zoology at London University in 1971 and later moved to Cambridge University in 1972, lecturing in Applied Entomology. In 1975 he joined Southampton University as a lecturer in Biology. 

Steve moved to New Zealand and Lincoln University in 1993 and joined the Bio-Protection Research Centre as Professor of Ecology, a position he held until his death. He held three doctorates and an Honorary Professorship in the Chu Kochen Honors College at Zhejiang University, China.

Professor Wratten’s areas of expertise included ecology, biological control of pests and enhancing ecosystems on farmlands. He was a proponent of using non-crop plants to provide SNAP (shelter, nectar, alternative food and pollen) to help natural enemies of pests.

Steve was one of our most sought-after academics and I am sure that many staff will agree with me when I say I will truly miss his interesting insights into ecology, the environment and the world at large. His presence on our campus will be sorely missed. 

Source:  Lincoln University