28 Peacock

Aglais io

Characteristics

Wingspan: 2.5–3 in (63–75 mm).

Flight season: Mostly March–October.

Nectar sources: Many common flowers.

Habitat: Meadows, open woodland, forest glades, suburban gardens, heaths.

The gray-and-black underwings of a peacock butterfly render it inconspicuous when its wings are closed. It could pass as a dead leaf and will be ignored by most predators. If a small bird is about to attack, however, it will open its wings, exposing the rusty red and four dazzling yellow, blue, and black eyespots on its upperwings—and give itself a chance to escape. This very mobile butterfly can be seen in much of Eurasia in a very broad range of habitats; it often visits back gardens, even in cities. And, unlike many butterflies, its range seems to be expanding.

Adults spend most of the morning nectaring at thistles, betony, bluebells, hawkweeds, ragwort, yarrow, and many other flowers. Although males and females look alike, they behave differently. Around the middle of the day, males become territorial, seeking out passing females. If a female does mate, she will later lay her eggs in clusters of up to 400 on the underside of nettle leaves. Peacocks hibernate in the winter and are sometimes disturbed from sheltered places such as backyard sheds.