Peacock Butterfly
Inachis io
Status :
Resident, Widespread
Wingspan : 5.5-6 cm
The Peacock is immediately recognisable by the large eyelike markings on its wing, these are used to put off potential predators by creating the illusion of the butterfly being a much larger creature, They have two main flight periods, firstly the Spring March-April sees the remaining number from the year before emerge from hibernation and take wing, these are often very pale in colour and look ragged around the edges of the wing. The second Flight occurs from July to October, these are the new generation and have very bright colours like the one shown above.
The Peacock feeds on any type of nectar and fallen fruit, they are commonly seen around areas of un-managed land where nettles grow in abundance, they produce upto two clutches of eggs per year. The caterpillar is black with numerous white dots and shining black spines, it feeds predominantly on Nettles, the toxin from the nettle is absorbed and can be secreted from the spines causing an allergic reaction to some people who touch them. The chrysalis is green or grey-brown and hangs from the underneath of a leaf or in gaps and cracks in bark or walls.