DR NIKOLAOS RODITAKIS: Obituary

NIKOLAOS RODITAKIS: Obituary 1

Dr. Nikolaos Emmanuel Roditakis originated Agricultural Development of Heraklion from the village of Episkopi Pediadas, Prefecture in the districts of Arkalochori, Heraklion, Crete. He graduated from the Kasteli, and Chersonisos, successively. He Agricultural University of Athens (then received a Doctorate degree from the Highest Agricultural School of Athens) with Agricultural University of Athens, specialization in viticulture in 1971. In 1973- Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in 1975 he served as temporary agriculturist for 1993. His thesis subject was “Effect of the control of the olive fruit fly in the temperature and photoperiod on diapause prefectures of Heraklion and Lashithi, Crete. development in the grape berry moth Lobesia During 1976-1979 he served as an applied botrana”, supervised by professor M. agriculturist of the Directorate for Karandinos.

In the two, rather recent, photos we see Nikos speaking in the Museum of Natural History of Crete (left), and leading a group of concerned citizens on an educational excursion on Mount Youchtas, south of Heraklion city (right).

Dr. Roditakis served as research programs, often as coordinator, financed by entomologist at the Institute of Plant international and local organizations or Protection of Heraklion, Crete for 30 authorities. Finally, he supervised the consecutive years, 1980-2010. In addition to research of several students, and actively research duties, he served as director of the close-collaborated with farmers and co- above Institute, and the Institute of Vineyard, operatives in solving urgent problems of Vegetables and Floriculture as well, during plant protection. Following his retirement, 1998 – 2003. His research interests and Dr. Roditakis collaborated with the Museum activities included, among others, the of Natural History of the University of Crete management of entomological pests of and soon became President of the viticulture and horticulture, and the Association of Friends of the Museum, 2010- identification of new entomological pests in 2014. Under this capacity, he contributed agriculture in general. He published or considerably to the development of the presented his research results in many Museum scientifically. He also contributed a international or local scientific journals or lot to the improvement of the museum meetings. He participated in several research exhibitions. He persistently promoted www.entsoc.gr © 2019 Hellenic Entomological Society

2 ENTOMOLOGIA HELLENICA 28 (2019): 1-2 activities for the environmentally friendly the environment through sound, biological control of insect pests. His role in environmentally nontoxic insect pest control the organization of an international methodologies. As such he will be long exhibition on “Dinosaurs of Patagonia” was remembered. decisive. This exhibition in Athens and in Nikos Roditakis is survived by his wife Heraklion, Crete was a great success. The Irene, his two sons Emmanuel and Andreas money collected from tickets and exhibition and grandchildren. sales secured the Museum budget for several years. Dr. Roditakis more than anything else was an admirably friendly personality, Prof. Emeritus Aristidis P. Economopoulos always eager to collaborate, an enthusiastic University of Crete and dedicated worker for the preservation of