Peacock
Inachis io
The unmistakable Peacock, is one of The most beautiful and readily identifiable butterflies in The UK. The eyespots act as a highly effective deterrent to potential predators which even manage to frighten large birds away. The underside of the wings are almost black and render the butterfly almost invisible when its wings are folded upright. If that isn't enough, a loud grating noise produced by the rasping of The forewings also acts as a secondary deterrent
The territorial instinct of the male Peacock protecting a prime patch of nettles often results in males trying to chase off birds who venture too close to his patch.
Hibernation takes place in hollow trees, garden sheds and other sheltered places. Hibernating Adults can sometimes be seen on the wing in January on mild sunny days and is usually seen throughout late spring, summer and early autumn, with a peak in numbers in August.
Larval Food plants
Common Nettle (Urtica dioica)
Habitat Requirements
Warwickshire Status
Resident
Where to see the Peacock
Ashlawn Cutting (WWT Reserve)
Ryton Wood (WWT Reserve) |
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Other Species
Please select an alternative species from the list below.
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| ©
Steven Cheshire |
First Sightings
First sighting dates are based on records of Peacock submitted online. Please note that these dates are not updated retrospectively to include records submitted to the branch recorder in other forms.
| 08/01/2010 - Garden, Heathcoat, Leamington Spa |
| 27/02/2009 - Warwick University |
| 27/01/2008 - Snitterfield Bushes |
| 02/03/2007 - Church Lane, Corley |
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| The flight chart below is based on observations of the adult Peacock in Warwickshire between 2005 and 2008. Peak periods are shown in dark green. |
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Warwickshire Distribution Maps base on Vice County (CV38) which includes Coventry and Solihull
Distribution of the Peacock during the indicated period.
Key to Warwickshire Maps: sightings  1 2-9 10+ |
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