Peacock
Aglais io
This record describes Aglais io (species). Recorded family: Nymphalidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The Peacock is a familiar sight in gardens across the British Isles and is unmistakable, with spectacular eyes on the upper side of the hind wings that give this butterfly its name. These eyes must appear very threatening to predators. This butterfly can turn up almost anywhere, given its broad distribution. Adults may be seen at any time of the year, with warm weather waking them from hibernation. The majority emerge from hibernation at the end of March and the beginning of April. These mate and ultimately give rise to the next generation that emerges at the end of July. This butterfly is often encountered while hibernating in outbuildings, such as a garage, shed or barn, where they are often in the company of other individuals. Other hibernation sites include hollow trees and woodpiles, where their dark undersides provide excellent camouflage. This butterfly is generally single-brooded. However, in good years, a small second brood may appear. The main larval foodplant is Common Nettle ( Urtica dioica ). This is a highly mobile butterfly that occurs throughout the British Isles, although it is not found in parts of northern Scotland. Its range does seem to be increasing, with sightings from new areas being recorded every year.
Wikipedia reference for Aglais io: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aglais io.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
- Subfamily
- Nymphalinae
- Tribe
- Nymphalini
- Genus
- Aglais (Tortoiseshells)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
This butterfly can turn up almost anywhere, given its broad distribution.
Seasonal Activity
Adults may be seen at any time of the year, with warm weather waking them from hibernation. The majority emerge from hibernation at the end of March and the beginning of April. These mate and ultimately give rise to the next generation that emerges at the end of July.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
This butterfly is often encountered while hibernating in outbuildings, such as a garage, shed or barn, where they are often in the company of other individuals. Other hibernation sites include hollow trees and woodpiles, where their dark undersides provide excellent camouflage. This butterfly is generally single-brooded. However, in good years, a small second brood may appear. The main larval foodplant is Common Nettle (
Additional species information
Recorded status
This is a highly mobile butterfly that occurs throughout the British Isles, although it is not found in parts of northern Scotland. Its range does seem to be increasing, with sightings from new areas being recorded every year.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Aglais io. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Peacock (9)
Frequently Asked Questions About Peacock
What is Peacock?
Peacock (Aglais io) is a species in the family Nymphalidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Peacock found?
Habitat: This butterfly can turn up almost anywhere, given its broad distribution.
When is Peacock active?
Peacock: seasonal activity - Adults may be seen at any time of the year, with warm weather waking them from hibernation. The majority emerge from hibernation at the end of March and the beginning of April. These mate and ultimately give rise to the next generation that emerges at the end of July..
What is the life cycle of a Peacock?
This butterfly is often encountered while hibernating in outbuildings, such as a garage, shed or barn, where they are often in the company of other individuals. Other hibernation sites include hollow trees and woodpiles, where their dark undersides provide excellent camouflage. This butterfly is generally single-brooded. However, in good years, a small second brood may appear. The main larval foodplant is Common Nettle (