BBC Radio 4 LW

Nature

Factual: Science & Nature: Nature & Environment

Natural history programme offering a unique insight into the natural world

Natural history programme offering a unique insight into the natural world and the rich variety of creatures inhabiting it

Nature: Series 7

Nature: Series 7: Episode 2: Quest for the World's Largest Butterfly

Episode 2

Episode 2: Quest for the World's Largest Butterfly

Series 7

Quest for the World's Largest Butterfly

BBC Radio 4 - Nature, Series 7, Quest for the World's Largest Butterfly

Mark Stratton visits Papua New Guinea to search for Queen Alexandra's Birdwing.

Queen Alexandra's Birdwing has a 30cm wingspan. Mark Stratton visits remote Papua New Guinea to find the butterfly and to meet its dedicated tribal conservationists.

Queen Alexandra's Birdwing is the world's largest butterfly with a wingspan of 30 cm. Despite its enormous size, it is hard to find and is almost restricted to a remote plateau in the rainforest of Papua New Guinea.

Travel writer and naturalist Mark Stratton has been itching to see this gargantuan insect for years and in this special edition of "Nature" he sets off on a quest to find out more about this striking and elusive creature which would dwarf British robins or wrens. His journey takes him to the remote Manangalas Plateau in the mountains north of the capital city, Port Moresby.

Here in the dense and humid rainforest he discovers a dedicated conservation scheme to grow the butterfly's food-plants, rear caterpillars and protect its habitat. In the face of general decline and the destruction of rainforest for oil-palm and cocoa plantations, it seems that the butterfly has staunch allies among the local tribes-people and conservation groups, but still its future is far from secure and Mark learns that in common with other rare and threatened animals, the world's biggest butterfly may need to pay its way in order to survive.

BBC Radio 4

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Nature

Series 7

Episode 2: Quest for the World's Largest Butterfly

Genres

Brand

Series

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4