The Peacock Butterfly, scientific name Aglais io , is a medium to large-sized butterfly easily recognized by the eye patterns on its wings. The butterfly gets its name from the resemblance of its wing patterns to those on peacock feathers.

Life Cycle and Nutrition

Peacock butterflies are long-lived, with some living up to a year. Their life cycle consists of egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, and adult stages. They hibernate as adults in hollow trees, dead wood, sheds, or attics. They emerge from hibernation as early as March and breed. Females can lay up to 500 green eggs, usually on the undersides of stinging nettle ( Urtica dioica ) leaves, most commonly in May. Caterpillars typically hatch in June or early July.

The caterpillars' primary food source is the Common Nettle ( Urtica dioica ), and they have also been reported on Lesser Nettle ( U. urens ) and Hops ( Humulus lupulus ). The caterpillars are generally black with white spots and black spines on their bodies. Once fully grown, they begin to form chrysalises, from which they emerge as butterflies around July. The cocoon (pupa) is green or sometimes brown, hangs from the host plant by its abdomen, and has two horns on its head.

Adult butterflies feed on a wide variety of nectar-rich flowers, including dandelions, clover, marjoram, primrose, bluebell, ragweed, asters, and thistles. They are also known to feed on tree sap, nectar, and fruit. Because of their long lifespan, they can change their feeding habits seasonally.

^{About the Peacock Butterfly ( YouTube-My Birding Year )}

Distribution and Habitat

The Peacock Butterfly is widespread throughout Britain and Ireland, including England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. The species is widespread and continues to expand its range into northern Britain and Ireland. It is common in a variety of habitats, making it a common sight in gardens. However, it generally prefers sheltered areas of woodland clearings, paths, and edges. It has also been recorded at altitudes up to 2,500 meters (8,000 feet) above sea level.

Defense Mechanisms

The Peacock Butterfly has several defense mechanisms to protect itself from predators:

• Camouflage: The undersides of their wings are dark and resemble dead leaves, helping them hide from predators while hibernating or resting.
• Eye Patterns: Eye-shaped patterns on the wings are exposed to surprise or intimidate predators by rapidly opening their wings, allowing the butterfly to escape. Since birds typically aim for the eyes, these patterns direct the attack to the wings rather than the body, increasing their chances of survival.
• Making Sounds: Peacock butterflies can make a hissing sound by rubbing their wings together to scare or warn off predators.
• Larval Defense: The caterpillar's host plant, the nettle, provides a defense that many animals avoid. When disturbed, the caterpillars are thought to move their bodies from side to side, creating the appearance of a large animal, produce green fluids, and drop to the ground.

^{Peacock Butterfly Image ( Pexels )}

Ecological Role

Peacock butterflies help pollinate many flowering plants by carrying pollen on their hairy bodies during their search for nectar. They also participate in predator-prey relationships in their natural habitat. They are known to suffer from parasites; wasps and some fly species lay their eggs on caterpillars for their larvae to feed on. Insectivorous fungi also affect hibernating butterflies. Peacock butterflies are also preyed upon by spiders, which attack the caterpillars, and rodents, such as wood mice, which feed on the hibernating adults. Various birds, such as blue tit and great tits, also prey on these butterflies in flight.

Protection Status

The Peacock Butterfly's conservation status is not threatened in either the UK or Europe. In 2022, it was listed as Least Concern on the UK Red List. Its European status is "Not Threatened". Its Butterfly Conservation priority is "Low". However, its population trend has decreased by -3% between 1976 and 2019, while its distribution trend has increased by 36% between 1975 and 2019. Its population has declined, particularly in the UK, since 2021.