Peacock

Aglais io

Prefered habitat -

gardens, woodland, parks and coastal areas

Food Source

Caterpillar foodplants: leaves of hop and stinging nettles.

Adults: feed on nectar from flowers including thistle, betony, bluebell, cuckooflower, dandelion and teasel. Buddleia is a particular favourite for peacock butterflies.

Local Site -

Hendre Lake

Photo 132381086 © Jablko1

A Bit About Me

Big, Bold & Beautiful. This stunning showstopper is instantly recognisable, with its captivating azure ‘eyes’ and orange-brown wings. Widespread and common throughout the UK,
it is one of our most-loved butterflies.

They usually mate in early spring, laying up to 500 eggs in May, typically on nettle leaves – the preferred food of this species’ larvae. After a couple of weeks the caterpillars hatch and spin a communal silk web, feasting on the nettles together before gradually venturing
out into the open. They pupate in July, emerging as adults between July and August.

Adults hibernate over winter, usually in dark spaces like inside sheds and holes in trees. They fold their wings up and sleep; their dull wings allow them to blend in and rest undisturbed. Peacock butterflies then wake from hibernation during the spring, sometimes as early as March. Peacock butterflies can live for up to 11 months.

Identification

Adults: large and unmistakable, the peacock butterfly is orange-red in colour with mesmerising azure ‘eyes’ on its wings, which help to ward off predators. The undersides of its wings are dull and almost black, resembling dead leaves. Females are larger than males.
Wingspan: 6-7cm

Caterpillars: jet black, velvety and covered in tiny white spots and short shiny black spines.