# Keith Wise

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**Keith Arthur John Wise** (1 June 1926 – 31 March 2012),[1][2] often referred to as **K. A. J. Wise**, was a New Zealand [entomologist](/source/Entomologist). Originally employed at the [Department of Scientific and Industrial Research](/source/Department_of_Scientific_and_Industrial_Research_(New_Zealand)), Wise began working with the [Bishop Museum](/source/Bishop_Museum) in the early 1960s, coordinating field programmes for United States visits to [Antarctica](/source/Antarctica) and [Subantarctic](/source/Subantarctic) islands. This work led Wise to identify and describe large numbers of novel species, including many species of [springtail](/source/Springtail). In 1965, Wise became the first Curator of Entomology at the [Auckland War Memorial Museum](/source/Auckland_War_Memorial_Museum), where he was integral in creating the first entomology section within the natural history gallery.

## Early life

Wise was born on 1 June 1926 in [Wellington](/source/Wellington). As his father Victor John Wise worked in insurance, Wise moved around the country often, living in [Whangārei](/source/Whang%C4%81rei), [Invercargill](/source/Invercargill) and [Oamaru](/source/Oamaru), attending [Whangarei Boys' High School](/source/Whangarei_Boys'_High_School), [Southland Boys' High School](/source/Southland_Boys'_High_School) and [Waitaki Boys' High School](/source/Waitaki_Boys'_High_School).[3][2][4] While living in Invercargill, Wise joined the Jellicoe Sea Scouts, which was led by [Geoffrey Orbell](/source/Geoffrey_Orbell), who would later be known for rediscovering the [takahē](/source/Takah%C4%93) in 1948. Orbell often took the boys sailing on his yacht to [Foveaux Strait](/source/Foveaux_Strait), which led to Wise developing a passion for both sailing and nature.[3]

In 1945, Wise joined the [Royal New Zealand Air Force](/source/Royal_New_Zealand_Air_Force) for eight months, completing a course in meteorology.[5] After the end of [World War II](/source/World_War_II), Wise began working at a fire insurance office in [Invercargill](/source/Invercargill) due to the advice of his father. He later transferring to the Auckland office, but was unsatisfied, feeling that insurance was not a good fit for him.[3][5]

## Career

In 1945, Wise joined the [Auckland Shell Club](/source/Auckland_Shell_Club), and the following year malacologist [Baden Powell](/source/Baden_Powell_(malacologist)) gave a recommendation to the [Auckland Museum Institute](/source/Auckland_Institute_and_Museum) for Wise to join.[3] In 1948, Wise began working at the [Department of Scientific and Industrial Research](/source/Department_of_Scientific_and_Industrial_Research_(New_Zealand)) in [Mount Albert](/source/Mount_Albert,_New_Zealand), working as an entomology technician in the Plant Diseases Division of DSIR under entomologist Don Spiller.[3] Originally a temporary job looking at the effects of [borer beetles](/source/Common_furniture_beetle), Wise was permanently employed by DSIR in early 1949.[5]

From February 1954, Wise began working as an associate entomologist at [Auckland War Memorial Museum](/source/Auckland_War_Memorial_Museum),[2] after being invited by museum entomologist [Graham Turbott](/source/Graham_Turbott) to provide cover while he was an eight months of leave.[3] Wise worked this job concurrently with his work as DSIR, working weekends and evenings.[3] Wise became an Associate Entomologist in 1957 while still employed at DSIR, when Turbott resigned to become the Director of the [Canterbury Museum](/source/Canterbury_Museum,_Christchurch).[3]

In late 1960, Wise took leave from the DSIR to work with the [Bishop Museum](/source/Bishop_Museum), performing field research in [Antarctica](/source/Antarctica) over the 1960–1961 Antarctic summer.[3] In October 1961 he resigned from the DSIR and the Auckland War Memorial Museum in order to take up a full-time position at the Bishop Museum, coordinating field programmes from Christchurch for the United States Antarctic Research Programme.[3] Wise took part in numerous trips to Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic islands such as the [Auckland Islands](/source/Auckland_Islands) and [Campbell Island](/source/Campbell_Island,_New_Zealand), primarily focusing on [springtails](/source/Springtail),[2][3] and spend time operating a long-range high altitude trap for insects on United States Navy aircraft across the Pacific Ocean.[5]

In 1965, Wise was appointed the first Curator of Entomology at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.[3] He opened up the entomology department to visitors in order to inspire the public to collect insects,[3] and led the development and opening of the insect section of the natural history gallery of Auckland War Memorial Museum, which opened in 1969.[6]

Wise carried out 15 field trips in 1966 and 1967, including a visit to [Whakaari / White Island](/source/Whakaari_/_White_Island) in December 1966,[7] and an expedition to the [Auckland Islands](/source/Auckland_Islands).[5] Wise's visit to Whakaari / White Island led to him creating a systemic list of all known species present on the island.[8] In 1969, Wise took part in the [Cook Bicentenary Expedition](/source/Cook_Bicentenary_Expedition), focusing on the biodiversity of [Rarotonga](/source/Rarotonga), [Tonga](/source/Tonga) and the [Cook Islands](/source/Cook_Islands).[5][9] Wise was a part of the [Royal Society of New Zealand South Pacific Expedition](/source/Royal_Society_of_New_Zealand_South_Pacific_Expedition) in 1977, which documented the biodiversity of the [Lau Islands](/source/Lau_Islands) of [Fiji](/source/Fiji).[10][3]

From 1972 to 1990, Wise was the third most senior staff member at the museum, leading him to be the acting assistant director on many occasions.[3] From 1969 to 1990, Wise was heavily involved with museum-related publications, including the *[Records of the Auckland Institute & Museum](/source/Records_of_the_Auckland_Institute_%26_Museum)*, the *[Bulletin of the Auckland Institute and Museum](/source/Bulletin_of_the_Auckland_Institute_and_Museum)* and the museum's annual review.[2][3] Wise published extensively on entomology-related topics, including works on [caddis flies](/source/Caddis_fly), [lacewings](/source/Lacewings), [tiger beetles](/source/Tiger_beetle) and [monarch butterflies](/source/Monarch_butterflies).[3] In 1987 Wise co-edited a third edition of *Powell's Native Animals of New Zealand*, alongside [Brian Gill](/source/Brian_Gill_(zoologist)), [Walter Cernohorsky](/source/Walter_Cernohorsky) and [Brett Stephenson](/source/Brett_Stephenson).[11]

Wise retired in 1990 as a museum curator, but continued to work as a research associate of the museum.[3] Wise died in 2012, while working on a monograph documenting the lacewings and [alder flies](/source/Alder_fly) of New Zealand.[3]

## Recognition and legacy

Wise became an [Associate Emeritus of the Auckland War Memorial Museum](/source/Auckland_Museum_Medals) in 1999, which recognised his commitment to scientific research and scholarship.[3] Wise was also elected as a Fellow of the [Royal Entomological Society](/source/Royal_Entomological_Society) of London.[3]

[Wise Peak](/source/Wise_Peak) in Antarctica was named after Wise.[12] Four taxa have been named in Wise's honour: the Antarctic prostig mites *[Coccorhagidia keithi](/source/Coccorhagidia_keithi)*[13] and *[Eupodes wisei](/source/Eupodes_wisei)* (the latter of which Wise discovered),[14] the intertidal beetle *[Hyphalus wisei](/source/Hyphalus_wisei)*,[15][3] and the endemic New Zealand moth genus *[Wiseana](/source/Wiseana)*.[3][16]

After his death, his son Martin Wise organised *Antarctica 1961*, a photography exhibition held at Point Chevalier which showcased 36 of Wise's photographs of Antarctica.[2]

## Personal life

Wise married Rosemary Musgrave in 1951, with whom he had four children. Wise's wife and children would often help Wise collect insects, and assisted his work at the museum.[3]

## Taxa identified by Wise

Main article:

- *[Acanthomurus rivalis](/source/Acanthomurus_rivalis)* Wise, 1964
- *[Alloecentrella](/source/Alloecentrella)* Wise, 1958
- *[Alloecentrella magnicornis](/source/Alloecentrella_magnicornis)* Wise, 1958
- *[Confluens](/source/Confluens_(caddisfly))* Wise, 1962
- *[Costachorema notopterum](/source/Costachorema_notopterum)* Wise, 1972
- *[Cryptopygus campbellensis](/source/Cryptopygus_campbellensis)* Wise, 1964
- *[Cryptopygus cisantarcticus](/source/Cryptopygus_cisantarcticus)* Wise, 1967
- *[Cryptopygus terranovus](/source/Cryptopygus_terranovus)* (Wise, 1967) (originally *Gressittacantha terranova*)
- *[Diplectrona bulla](/source/Diplectrona_bulla)* Wise, 1958
- *[Ecnomina zealandica](/source/Ecnomina_zealandica)* Wise, 1958
- *[Edpercivalia harrisoni](/source/Edpercivalia_harrisoni)* Wise, 1982
- *[Friesea litoralis](/source/Friesea_litoralis)* (Wise, 1964) (originally *Colonavis litoralis*)
- *[Friesea tilbrooki](/source/Friesea_tilbrooki)* Wise, 1970
- *[Hydrobiosis falcis](/source/Hydrobiosis_falcis)* Wise, 1958
- *[Neobiosella](/source/Neobiosella)* Wise, 1958
- *[Neobiosella irrorata](/source/Neobiosella_irrorata)* Wise, 1958
- *[Oeconesus lobatus](/source/Oeconesus_lobatus)* Wise, 1958
- *[Olinga fumosa](/source/Olinga_fumosa)* Wise, 1958
- *[Orthopsyche thomasi](/source/Orthopsyche_thomasi)* (Wise, 1962) (originally *Hydropsyche thomasi*)
- *[Oxyethira ahipara](/source/Oxyethira_ahipara)* Wise, 1998
- *[Oxyethira waipoua](/source/Oxyethira_waipoua)* Wise, 1998
- *[Parakatianna salmoni](/source/Parakatianna_salmoni)* (Wise, 1964) (originally *Longkingia salmoni*)
- *[Polyplectropus impluvii](/source/Polyplectropus_impluvii)* Wise, 1962
- *[Polyplectropus waitakerensis](/source/Polyplectropus_waitakerensis)* Wise, 1962
- *[Porphyrosela hardenbergiella](/source/Porphyrosela_hardenbergiella)* (Wise, 1957) (originally *Lithocolletis hardenbergiella*)
- *[Pseudoeconesus bistirpis](/source/Pseudoeconesus_bistirpis)* Wise, 1958
- *[Pseudosorensia atlantica](/source/Pseudosorensia_atlantica)* (Wise, 1970) (originally *Sorensia atlantica*, later *Isotoma (Pseudosorensia) atlantica*)
- *[Psilochorema embersoni](/source/Psilochorema_embersoni)* Wise, 1982
- *[Pycnocentrodes aeris](/source/Pycnocentrodes_aeris)* Wise, 1958
- *[Tiphobiosis kuscheli](/source/Tiphobiosis_kuscheli)* Wise, 1972
- *[Tullbergia mediantarctica](/source/Tullbergia_mediantarctica)* Wise, 1967
- *[Tullbergia templei](/source/Tullbergia_templei)* Wise, 1970
- *[Zelandanura](/source/Zelandanura)* L.Deharveng & Wise, 1987
- *[Zelandanura bituberculata](/source/Zelandanura_bituberculata)* L.Deharveng & Wise, 1987

## Selected bibliography

- Wikidata item [Q58676764](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q58676764)
- Wikidata item [Q74211747](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q74211747)
- Wise, K. A. J. (1967). "Collembola (Springtails)". *Entomology of Antarctica*. Vol. 10. Antarctic Research Series. pp. 123–148. [doi:10.1029/AR010P0123](https://doi.org/10.1029/AR010P0123). ISBN 978-1-118-66869-6.
- Wikidata item [Q54620489](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q54620489)
- Wikidata item [Q58676955](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q58676955)
- Wikidata item [Q115119989](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q115119989)
- Wikidata item [Q129261698](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q129261698)

## References

1. ["Keith Wise"](https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/agent/20771). *[Te Papa](/source/Te_Papa)*. Retrieved 16 July 2024.

1. Thwaites, Ian 2015, pp. 19–20.

1. Wikidata item [Q58623386](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q58623386)

1. ["1937"](https://wbhsoba.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/1937.pdf). *[Whangarei Boys' High School](/source/Whangarei_Boys'_High_School)*. Retrieved 17 July 2024.

1. ["Who You Should Know: Keith Wise Entomologist Auckland Institute & Museum"](https://christchurchartgallery.org.nz/media/uploads/2017_10/AGMANZ_News_Volume_6_Number_2_May_1975.pdf). *AGMANZ News*. **6** (2): 29. 2 May 1975.

1. Thwaites, Ian 2015, pp. 344.

1. Thwaites, Ian 2015, pp. 340–341.

1. Wikidata item [Q58676879](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q58676879)

1. Wikidata item [Q125502663](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q125502663)

1. Thwaites, Ian 2015, pp. 354.

1. Thwaites, Ian 2015, pp. 16.

1. ["Wise Peak"](https://adam.antarcticanz.govt.nz/nodes/view/20322). *Antarctica NZ*. Retrieved 18 July 2024.

1. Strandtmann, RW (1967). "Terrestrial Prostigmata (Trombidiform mites)". *Entomology of Antarctica*. Vol. 10. Antarctic Research Series. pp. 51–80. [doi:10.1029/AR010p0051](https://doi.org/10.1029/AR010p0051). ISBN 978-1-118-66869-6.

1. Wikidata item [Q89667628](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q89667628)

1. Wikidata item [Q58676948](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q58676948)

1. Wikidata item [Q127586923](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q127586923)

## Bibliography

- Wikidata item [Q64995662](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q64995662)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Keith Wise](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Wise) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Wise?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.