Aglais io, commonly known as the Peacock butterfly, is a striking species of butterfly found across Europe and temperate Asia. It belongs to the Nymphalidae family and is renowned for its vivid, eye-catching wing patterns. The Peacock butterfly's wings are a deep, vibrant red with large, iridescent "eye spots" on each wing, resembling the eyes of a peacock's feathers. These spots serve as a defense mechanism, deterring predators by mimicking the appearance of larger animals.
The Peacock butterfly thrives in various habitats, including gardens, woodlands, meadows, and parks. It is particularly common in areas with an abundance of nettles (Urtica dioica), the only host plant for its larvae. Females lay clusters of eggs on the underside of nettle leaves, and the caterpillars, which are black with spines and white spots, feed on the foliage before pupating.
Adult Aglais io butterflies are strong fliers and are active from spring through late autumn and can even be seen in flight during mild winter days. They feed on nectar from a variety of flowers, including buddleia, thistles, and dandelions, as well as tree sap and juices from fallen fruit. The species hibernates during winter in dark, sheltered places such as sheds or hollow trees, emerging again in spring.
Difficulty - Very easy (1/10)
Host plants - Nettles.
Temperature - Room temperature or outside; enjoys sunshine.
Lifecycle - 1-3 annual broods depending on local conditions.
