Use BBC.com or the new BBC App to listen to BBC podcasts, Radio 4 and the World Service outside the UK.

Find out how to listen to other BBC stations

Episode details

Radio 4 Extra,09 Oct 2009,10 mins

SeriesSeries 1

Large Blue

David Attenborough's Life Stories

Available for 30 days

The Large Blue butterfly died out in Britain in 1979, but why? Investigations pointed to a complex life cycle linked to a single species of ant. With this knowledge the Large Blue was re-introduced into the British countryside, but there is a sinister twist in the tale, in the form of a parasitic wasp. Series of talks by Sir David Attenborough on the natural histories of creatures and plants from around the world. Producer: Julian Hector. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2009.

Programme Website
More episodes