Great British Lepidoptera

Peacock (Aglais Io)

For butterfly lovers, the Peacock is a particular favourite because of its rich colours and its ability to live and breed in patches of stinging nettles in corners of the garden. In June, the black, hairy caterpillars are easily found on the nettle leaves. In late summer and autumn the butterflies visit buddleia, ice-plants and rotten fruit, jostling for position with other butterflies. Peacocks can become numerous in orchards when the fruit ripens. Their colours make them an almost startling sight as they bask in full sunshine.

The Peacock can also be found along woodland rides, beside country roads and in waste areas for the foodplant; nettles can be found almost anywhere.

It patrols its territory, making frequent sorties to investigate intruding flies and other insects. It uses sound as well as coloured false eyes to frighten away a predator such as a bird. As the predator approaches, the butterfly will open and close its wings rapidly, making a scraping noise as the wings rub together.

In winter, Peacocks hibernate on the ceiling or in the corners of sheds and outhouses, and may even come into houses and conservatories looking for suitable sites. They can live for almost a year- from July to the following May.