Semeraro

My main interest is in the taxonomy and systematics of leafhoppers (Cicadellidae) which represent a highly speciose family in the Order Hemiptera (currently over 20,000 species described) and can be serious agricultural pests. I have been working in the Victorian Agricultural Insect Collections for over 9 years (both full-time and part-time). My role has involved identification of insect specimens and curation of the collections. Working in this field, I have come to further appreciate the importance of sound taxonomy (ie. good identification keys and well described taxa) for identification of pests, and particularly detection of exotic pests. I would like to improve tools available for diagnosticians and contribute to an increased understanding of the Australian leafhopper fauna through this basic taxonomic and systematic study. In Australia, there are a large number of insect species (including leafhoppers) which have yet to be described. I am interested in contributing to filling some of the taxonomic gaps in Australia.

I grew up in Sydney and completed a Bachelor of Science at Macquarie University (NSW), graduating in 1995. After the completion of my degree I worked as a volunteer at the Australian Museum Mammalogy Collection, assisting with curatorial tasks. I was also involved with a project which focussed on the diet of Wedge-tailed Eagles particularly in the Mutawintji (previously known as Mootwingee) National Park, near Broken Hill. In this job I learnt how to identify mammal skulls, femurs, and other skeletal fragments which were collected from Wedge-tailed Eagle nests. I was lucky to be taken on a trip to Mutawintji National Park to help with some of the collecting and survey work. This was a great experience.

With an opportunity to try my hand at some illustrating, my attention was drawn to the small, weird and wonderful world of invertebrates.

I was employed by NSW DPI (Rydalmere) for a few years as a scientific illustrator in the insect collection (Agricultural Scientific Collections Unit - ASCU). The ASCU later moved to Orange (NSW) in 1997 where I worked with Dr Murray Fletcher (Australia’s leafhopper specialist) for more than 2 years, illustrating and photographing leafhoppers of economic significance. In 2000 I moved to Melbourne to work with DPI Victoria in the Victorian Agricultural Insect Collection, where I am still currently based. Here, I have had the opportunity to broaden my knowledge and taxonomic skills and develop a better understanding of insect biosecurity issues in Australia.

I have also had the chance to travel and present my earlier work on macropsines overseas at the 12th International Auchenorrhyncha Congress (USA, California, Berkeley) in 2005. This was a great chance to meet with leading international leafhopper taxonomists and researchers.