Peacock
Aglais ioThe Peacock is one of the UK’s most recognisable butterflies, known for its dramatic orange-red wings decorated with black and blue eye spots. With their wings closed, they take on an excellent camouflage among dead leaves. Strong and territorial, males will fiercely defend their patch in daring aerial chases.
Striking and feisty, meet the Peacock
The Peacock butterfly has two modes – hide and hello!
The underwings are dark and perfectly mimic dead leaf litter, allowing them to blend in with their surroundings when they need to go unseen.
The upperwings, however, are designed to shout. They are a striking orange-red, marked with black and blue spots which play a very important role in the Peacock’s survival. These spots mimic eyes, which can trick a predator into thinking that the creature they are trying to eat is much bigger than it really is. The Peacock has another surprising defensive technique – under attack they can produce a hissing noise to put a predator off their lunch.
Peacocks are strong fliers and a little bit feisty. Males will chase off other males and even birds from their patch, sometimes resulting in epic dogfights where the battling butterflies will spiral into the air and plunge back down in a bid for dominance.
All this is a far cry from the peaceful caterpillars they once were. Peacock caterpillars live in communal webs on their foodplant, providing them with protection between feeding and basking sessions. Their favourite foods are Common Nettle, Small Nettle and Hop.
Peacocks can be found across the whole of the UK and aren’t too fussy when it comes to habitat, so make sure to check your garden or local green space to see if one swoops by.
Vibes
Each butterfly is scored out of 100 across a set of traits, from how bold and visible it is to how far it travels or how particular it is about where it lives. These scores compare each species with the other butterflies in Britain, helping you see their differences at a glance. Here’s what makes the Peacock special.
Bright colours, bold patterns, and a love of the spotlight. Some butterflies just can’t help showing off.
Fast, or throwing some seriously impressive moves, these butterflies are in a flutter.
Always on guard, ready to hide or defend - these butterflies have self-preservation down to an art.
It’s ok to be a little… well, weird. These butterflies have been certified with the freak factor.
Like Goldilocks, everything has to be just right for these perfectionists.
Hard to spot and even harder to forget, these butterflies are a true one of a kind.
Bold, curious, and ready to explore, these brave butterflies live for the thrill and aren’t afraid to travel.
Weather-resistant, battle-hardened, and built to survive, these butterflies know how to take it on the wing.
Peacocks can produce a hissing sound when threatened, adding an extra layer of defence against would-be predators.
Test your knowledge
What is the purpose of the eye-like spots on Peacock wings?The eye spots on Peacock wings help scare predators by making them think the butterfly is much larger than it actually is.
Does the Peacock get your vote?