George Verrall
Erica McAllister explores the life of entomologist - and dipterist (fly expert), George Verrallis. From October 2015.
George Verrall was an entomologist who loved lists. In a time when his peers were busy chasing butterflies and beetles Verrall made himself extremely busy attempting to list all the species of ‘true’ fly of the British Isles. His initial list of around 2000 flies from the late 1800’s has been updated over the years and at the last revision included over 7000 species.
Verrall’s love of wildlife and his concern for the British countryside inspired him along with the better known naturalist Walter Rothschild to start buying up the fenland around Cambridge.
On his death this land was gifted to the National Trust increasing the size of their very first nature reserve – Wicken Fen. Fellow fly expert Erica McAllister explains why Verrall is her Natural History Hero.
Produced by Ellie Sans
First broadcast on Â鶹Éç Radio 4 in October 2015.
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Dr Erica McAlister
She has carried out contract work for the MoD in Tajikistan, where she was involved in the training of mosquito identification and malaria incrimination over a three year project. She is also involved in UK Mosquito projects which have included incriminating for viruses and also for genomic resolution.
George Verrall
For a century the pair formed what was probably one of the finest private collections of remains the most comprehensive single collection of British diptera.
Wicken Fen
George Verrall originally purchased a section of it and bequeathed to the nation, leading to it becoming the first National Trust nature reserve.
Broadcasts
- Wed 7 Oct 2015 13:45Â鶹Éç Radio 4
- Fri 9 Sep 2016 09:30Â鶹Éç Radio 4
- Wed 13 Nov 2019 14:15Â鶹Éç Radio 4 Extra
- Thu 14 Nov 2019 02:15Â鶹Éç Radio 4 Extra
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