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George Verrall

Episode 8 of 10

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 β€˜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 ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 in October 2015.

Available now

15 minutes

Last on

Thu 14 Nov 2019 02:15
ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra

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Dr Erica McAlister

Dr Erica McAlister
Dr Erica McAlister is the Collections Manager for flies, fleas, spiders, and Myriapoda, the group containingΒ millipedesΒ and centipedes at the in London. The collection contains 3-4 million specimens and is the most important type collection of flies globally and receives many UK and international visitors.

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

George Verrall
George Henry Verrall (1848-1911) was an entomologist who, along with his nephew James Edward Collin, dominated the study of British diptera, which is the name for the scientific order containing flies.

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

Wicken Fen
Β is one of Europe's most important wetlands and supports more than 8,500 species of wildlife, including a spectacular array of plants, birds and dragonflies.

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 13:45
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Fri 9 Sep 2016 09:30
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Wed 13 Nov 2019 14:15
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra
  • Thu 14 Nov 2019 02:15
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra

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Related Links

  • (www.nationaltrust.org.uk)