Insect · GBIF taxon 4535827
Peacock Butterfly
Aglais ioAlso known as European Peacock
Peacock butterflies boast spectacular, iridescent eyespots on their upper wings, which they flash dramatically to startle potential predators like insectivorous birds. When threatened in dark hibernation spots, they can also rub their wings together to produce a hissing sound audible to humans. These resilient insects are among the first butterflies to emerge in spring, having spent the winter dormant in hollow trees, sheds, or stone crevices.
ColorfulDiurnalOverwintering
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Stinging Nettle
- Buddleja Nectar
- Rotting Fruit
Predators
- Birds
- Mice
- Spiders
ThreatsPesticide use, habitat fragmentation, and loss of larval host plants
HabitatsMeadows, gardens, woodland edges, and pastures
Life spanUp to 11 months
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyNymphalidae
- SpeciesAglais io
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Winter Searching: Look inside unheated sheds, outbuildings, and hollow trees where adults hibernate suspended from ceilings.
- Summer Watching: Scan flowering buddleja bushes, brambles, and damp ground where adults gather to feed and mineralize.
Frequent Companion (c) Gilles San Martin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Gilles San Martin · cc-by-sa
Host Plant no rights reserved, uploaded by georgiasteel · cc0
Close Relative (c) Jörg Hempel, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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