Wednesday, 15 February 2012
Peacock Butterfly
Scientific Name:
Inachis io
Wingspan (mm):
Male 63 - 68mm, female 67 - 75mm Description
This beautiful and perhaps best known butterfly shares its name with the equally colourful Peacock bird. Mainly burnt orange on its upper wings, large blue centred eyespots are apparent. The wing tips are a dusky beige in colour. Females are usually larger than the males. Speckles of white may be seen on the almost black spiny caterpillar.
Distribution
The Peacock Butterfly is widespread and has continued to expand its range in northern parts of Britain and Ireland. Although a familiar visitor to garden buddleias in late summer, the Peacock's strong flight and nomadic instincts lead it to range widely through the countryside, often finding its preferred habitats in the shelter of woodland clearings, rides, and edges.
Habitat
Peacock butterflies may be seen almost anywhere, searching for suitable breeding or nectaring sites. These are often open, sunny places in woodland where the preferred nectar plants are found, e.g. willows in spring and teasels, thistles, and Hemp-agrimony in late summer. Large nettle patches are normally chosen for egg laying and these too are often located in sunny positions in the shelter of woodland or hedgerows.
Diet
Common Nettle, although eggs and larvae are occasionally reported on Small Nettle and Hop
Status
A common sight throughout much of the British Isles, its numbers are boosted by immigrants from the Continent when conditions are right. UK BAP status: not listed Butterfly Conservation priority: low European threat status: not threatened
Did You Know?
A powerful flier, this butterfly will flap its wings to show the colourful eyespots, as a defence against would-be predators.