Person

Fletcher, Murray J.

Occupation
Entomologist and Science historian

Summary

Murray Fletcher is an entomologist much of whose research has focused on the order Hemiptera (which includes cicadas, aphids, leafhoppers and bed bugs). He has named over 60 new species and genera (including Anzygina and Rokebia). Other primary fields of research include biosecurity, particularly the control of insect pests and Phytoplasmas, and insect-vectored bacteria causing disease in wide range of plant species. For many years Fletcher was based at the Orange Agricultural Institute of the New South Wales Department of Agriculture. In 2004 he was Principal Research Scientist and Director of the Agricultural Scientific Collections Unit (ASCU). This Unit is responsible for components of the Australian Faunal Directory relating to leafhoppers, spittlebugs and plant hoppers (with more than 3,000 generic and specific names) (Dr Fletcher) and whiteflies (105 species) (Peter Gillespie). Fletcher is active in entomological organisations, holding executive office of the Australian Entomological Society, of which he is an Honorary Member, and the Entomological Society of New South Wales. The Murray Fletcher Award is presented by the Australian Entomological Society to a member of the Society at it's annual conference for an oral or poster presentation that best advocates for collections and their use towards scientific research, diagnostics, education or otherwise.

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Details

Chronology

1986 - 1987
Career position - President, Entomological Society of New South Wales
1992 - 1999
Career position - Editor, Myrmecia, Australian Entomological Society
2004 -
Career position - Principal Research Scientist and Director of Collections, New South Wales Department of Primary Industry, Orange
2004 - 2008
Career position - Vice-President, Australian Entomological Society
2016 - 2018
Career position - New South Wales regional Representative, National Committee, Australian Entomological Society
2017 -
Career position - Director (Communications), National Committee, Australian Entomological Society
2019
Award - Pat Marks Medal, Australian Entomological Society

Related Awards

Related Corporate Bodies

Published resources

Journal Articles

Helen Cohn

Created: 22 July 2025

EOAS ID: biogs/P007778b.htm

This Edition: 2026 February - 1926 Centenaries
Kooyang - Gariwerd calendar - Late summer: late January to late March - season of eels
Reference: https://www.bom.gov.au/resources/indigenous-weather-knowledge/indigenous-seasonal-calendars/gariwerd-calendar#bom-anchor-list__item-kooyang-season-of-eels

Publisher: Swinburne University of Technology.

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"... the rengitj, as a visible mark or imprint on the land, is characterised as a place of origin, the repository of all names, as well as a kind of mapped visual expression of the connection between people and places which is to be carried out in the temporal sequence of the journey." Fanca Tamisari (1998) 'Body, Vision and Movement: In the footprints of the ancestors'. Oceania 68(4) p260