Funded by the National Science Foundation

Fiji Staff -

Setariki Coganasiga

Setariki grew up in the countryside of Rewa in his father’s village, Tavuya. He has fond memories of life in the village, fishing in the Naivikuka River, planting dalo and cassava, collecting coconuts for market, and gathering firewood for cooking. When Seta was eighteen, he moved to the Forestry Station at Colo-i-Suva where his father had gotten a job. Seta still lives there together with his wife and colleague, Kula, and his grandmother “Bubu”, mother, father, brother, three sisters and four cousins.

Seta’s first experience with insects was as a field assistant for Eli Sarnat and Katayo Sagata in 2004. The picture of the American, Papua New Guinean, and Fijian still hangs from the wall of his house. After proving himself a consistent and loyal worker in the field, Seta was offered a position on the parataxonomist team in January 2005.

After putting in a full day in the lab, Seta enjoys getting his exercise playing touch rugby with the Forestry boys. Quiet by nature, Seta can be counted on for making the whole room laugh with his straight-faced jokes. Although he works with a microscope and lab coat, Seta still values the village life of his youth, as is testified by his mastery of the Fijian earth oven (lovo), his attention to abundant gardens of dalo and cassava, and his raising of three fine pigs for special feasts to come.

This page last revised 17 July 2005