McArthur, Archibald John (Archie) (1922 - 2016)

Summary

Archie McArthur was a self-taught and skilled taxonomist who became a world expert in the ant genus Camponotus, ecologically one of the most diverse groups of ants. His interest was sparked when, during 40 years of farming, he noticed ants as pioneer species once the devastating rabbits had been eliminated. Identifying the ants became a consuming interest. McArthur published a number of identification keys and papers, including studies of revegetation caused by distribution of acacia seeds by ants. He created a web site of unnamed Campanotus species together with photographs and other identification details. McArthur was a Member of the Royal Society of South Australia for 52 years, serving in various executive roles.

Details

Chronology

1990 - 1994

Career position - Volunteer, Entomology Section, South Australian Museum

1992 - 1996

Career position - Minute Secretary, Royal Society of South Australia

1994 - 2016?

Career position - Honorary Research Associate, South Australian Museum

1997 - 2008

Career position - Membership Secretary, Royal Society of South Australia

2001

Award - Nature Conservation Award, Field Naturalists Society of South Australia

2002

Award - Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to entomology and to the environment through the collection and study of ants, and to the community, particularly through the National Parks Consultative Committee for the Lower South East Area, South Australia

2008 - 2012

Career position - Member of Council, Royal Society of South Australia

Related entries

Published resources

Journal Articles

• Simpson, Mary Louise, 'Archibald John McArthur, OAM, (1922 - 2016)', Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia, 141 (1) (2017), 83-5. Details

Resources

• 'McArthur, Archibald John (1922-20160828)', Trove, National Library of Australia, 2009, https://nla.gov.au/nla.party-1772553. Details