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Peacock butterfly approaching pink flower

Peacock butterfly

Peacock butterflies are certainly one of the most eye-catching creatures in the UK. Flitting between nectar-rich flowers of gardens and parks all summer long, come winter they seem to disappear. In fact they just fold up their wings and blend into a hollow tree or wooden shed, emerging in spring to lay eggs on nettle plants. The four stunning eyespots on the wing, resembling the tail feather pattern of the peacock, are there to frighten away or divert predators. Male peacock butterflies will defend a territory in summer, harassing any females that happen to pass through.

Scientific name: Inachis io

Rank: Species

Common names:

European peacock

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Distribution

The Peacock butterfly can be found in a number of locations including: Asia, China, Europe, Russia, United Kingdom, Wales, Ynys-hir nature reserve. Find out more about these places and what else lives there.

Habitats

The following habitats are found across the Peacock butterfly distribution range. Find out more about these environments, what it takes to live there and what else inhabits them.

Behaviours

Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.

Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web

About

The European Peacock (Inachis io), more commonly known simply as the Peacock butterfly, is a colourful butterfly, found in Europe and temperate Asia as far east as Japan. Classified as the only member of the genus Inachis (the name is derived from Greek mythology, meaning Io, the daughter of Inachus). It should not be confused or classified with the "American peacocks" in the genus Anartia; these are not close relatives of the Eurasian species. The Peacock butterfly is resident in much of its range, often wintering in buildings or trees. It therefore often appears quite early in spring. The Peacock butterfly has figured in research where the role of eye-spots as anti-predator mechanism has been investigated.

In the British Isles, the butterfly is found in England, Scotland (including Orkney and Shetland), Wales, and Ireland. The Peacock is expanding its range. The butterfly is not known to be threatened.

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