Woodland Trust

Nature's CalendarNature Detectives

Keep your eyes peeled for the first snowdrop flowers opening - record them on our survey!

Peacock. Miranda Hodgsonpeacock

Inachis io

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

Peacock underside. W SchonWhere 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
 
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