Arthur Wilson Stelfox

Arthur Wilson Stelfox (15 December 1883–19 May 1972) was an Irish naturalist and architect. Stelfox was a recognised authority on Hymenoptera and on non-marine Mollusca especially the genus Pisidium. He also made important contributions to scientific knowledge concerning Irish botany and on identifying and describing remains from prehistoric sites in Ireland.

Early years and education Stelfox was born in Belfast on 15 December 1883 the son of Jennie McIlwaine and James Stelfox. and in 1908 he was appointed the Honourable Secretary. Stelfox and Mitchell married in 1914. The couple subsequently had three children but their daughter and youngest son died in childhood. Stelfox recognised the enormous value of the Alexander Henry Haliday Hymenoptera collection held at the National Museum of Ireland and undertook the task of curating and caring for it. In doing so he added significantly to the scientific knowledge of many species by ensuring the correct identification and labelling of specimens and the cross referencing of Haliday's notes.

Death

Stelfox died in hospital after a short illness on 19 May 1972;

Taxa named in Stelfox's honour

Several taxa have been named in Stelfox's honour including Heterospilus stelfoxi a species of parasitoid wasp.

Publications

Stelfox published a significant number of scientific papers during his lifetime. A few highlights include A List of Land and Freshwater Molluscs of Ireland. Proc. R. Ir. Acad., 29: 65-164 Mollusca - Land and Fresh Water (Clare Island Survey). Proc. R. Ir. Acad., 31: (Sect. 2.; Pt. 23.) 1-64 Researches into the hereditary characters of some of our British Mollusca. J. Conchol., 15: 268-275 A List of the Hymenoptera aculeata of Ireland Proc. R. Ir. Acad., 37: 201-355 Description of six new species of Bassine Ichneumon flies Proc. R. Ir. Acad., 46: 109-119 Description of five new species of Alysiidae (Hymenoptera). Proc. R. Ir. Acad., 47: 1-16 The species of the genus Eclytus so far found in Ireland (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae). Proc. R. Ir. Acad., 64: 509-511 (With Kuiper, McMillan and Mitchell) The Late Glacial and Post-Glacial Mollusca of the White Bog, Co Down. Proc. R. Ir. Acad., 72: 185-207