peacock

Inachis io

Facts

Why not download our peacock butterfly fact sheet?

  peacock butterfly fact sheet

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
  
  
• Peacock butterflies can live for up to 11 months