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Dr Erica McAlister looks at the hoverfly that arguably undergoes the biggest transformation of any animal on earth. From 2021.

From hoverflies to butterflies, many insects undergo the biggest transformation of any animal on the planet during their life cycle. Dr Erica McAlister unmasks the ongoing mystery of metamorphosis and hears how now it's being used as a barometer to track future climate change.

With contributions from historian and zoologist Professor Matthew Cobb, University of Manchester; Grace Touzel, curator Natural History Museum; conservation biologist, Dr Christopher Hassall, University of Leeds.

Producer: Adrian Washbourne

First broadcast on 91福利社 Radio 4 in March 2021.

Available now

14 minutes

On radio

Thu 18 Jun 2026 09:30

Broadcasts

  • Thu 4 Mar 2021 13:45
  • Thu 29 Jul 2021 09:30
  • Thu 18 Jun 2026 09:30