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

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Natural Histories

Factual: Science & Nature: Nature & Environment

Nature that has had a profound impact on human culture and society across history.

Nature that has got under our skin and profoundly impacted human culture and society across our history.

BBC Radio 4 LW

Natural Histories: Dragonfly

Dragonfly

BBC Radio 4 - Natural Histories, Dragonfly

Brett Westwood encounters Devil’s Darning Needles as he goes in search of Dragonflies

Dragonflies have inspired awe as well as fear as Brett Westwood discovers as he traces our relationship with Horse Stingers and Devil’s Darning Needles.

Ruary Mackenzie Dodds became fascinated by dragonflies when one landed on his shoulder and instead of being terrified by the huge insect, he was captivated by its beauty. This beauty as well as their charisma, acrobatic flying and dramatic lifestyle have inspired both awe and fear across the globe as Brett Westwood discovers in this exploration of our relationship with Dragonflies. They have attracted names like Devil’s Darning Needle, Horse Stinger and Water Witch, been used as emblems of strength, weather predictors and angler's friends. They have been captured in artworks and poetry and obsessed over by flight engineers but it’s arguably whilst flitting among the rushes over a pool that they are at their most dazzling. 

This episode is a shortened revised repeat of the 2016 episode

Original Producer Sarah Blunt
Archive Producer Andrew Dawes

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

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