'Hissing' Peacock

GuyF · #1 (**permalink**) 12-01-2008, 03:26 PM

Hi everyone,
This afternoon while I was collecting some logs from the shed I accidently disturbed a hibernating Peacock butterfly which then started slowly opening and closing it's wings. Strangely, each time the butterfly pushed it's wings downwards it made a strange sound, almost like a rustling plastic bag but quieter. You could clearly hear the noise even from a couple of metres away. I was just wondering whether anyone has noticed anything similar, or if anyone knows how and why the Peacock was making these noises.
Thanks,
Guy

P.S I managed to get the Peacock to rest on the back of a log where it won't be disturbed for the rest of the winter, and it soon settled down again

Marshall Stax · #2 (**permalink**) 12-01-2008, 03:37 PM

Didn’t know the cause of the sound myself but wanted to, so after some digging around I found this on Ukbutterflies.co.uk.

“When clouds obscure the sun, they close their wings, but if disturbed, will suddenly re-open them, simultaneously producing a rasping or hissing sound which is created by rubbing the wing surfaces together. The sudden appearance of the “peacock eyes”, in conjunction with this sound, probably function primarily to startle attacking birds. The startling effect is short-lived however, and having recovered its senses, the bird is likely to attack the butterfly. The peacock eyes then serve to divert the attack away from the butterfly's vulnerable body, and onto the wings - butterflies can continue to fly normally, even with large chunks pecked out of their wings.”

David

juliejam · #3 (**permalink**) 12-01-2008, 03:39 PM

Its Comnonly known that the Peacock Butterfly when disturbed performs a sequence of movements exposing the eyespots on the wings accompanied by a hissing noise...this is a act of defence...

Julie