peacock

Inachis io

• One of the most spectacular and most common butterflies
   
• Deep red wings
   
• Very distinctive 'peacock eyes'.
   

Where found

Flowery banks and gardens. Larvae feed on nettles, adults commonly seen on buddleia. Throughout British Isles. 
 

When to look for

• In spring at the faintest hint of warmth for hibernated individuals, from late March/early April.

Fabulous peacock facts

• The eye spots on the wings help to repel predators
  
  
• They rest with their wings closed revealing an almost black underside
  
  
• Caterpillars are black, spotted with white and have shiny black spines along their back and sides
  
  
• Peacock butterflies have a single generation each year, with mature individuals hibernating and emerging, usually in March, to mate and lay eggs on nettles
  
  
• Adults favour nectar from thistles and buddleia and in late summer feed on over-ripe fallen fruit