| Peacock - Inachis io - Family: Nymphalidae
 Peacock - Inachis io© Robin Chittenden www.harlequinpictures.co.ukThe colourful peacock is one of the commonest butterflies, found almost anywhere there is a patch of stinging nettles. Like red admirals and commas, the adults may be attracted to rotten fruit. Habitats include woodland glades, chalk downland and damp meadows and this species is one very likely to be found in gardens. The upperwing is brownish-red, with distinctive blue and black 'peacock' eye markings. The underwing is dark brown and provides superb camouflage. Eggs are laid in a large batch, normally on the underside of nettle leaves in May, the spiny caterpillars hatching after two weeks. They are black, covered in white speckles and longer than those of the small tortoiseshell butterfly. There is only one generation each year. Adults overwinter in sheds, outhouses and hollow trees but are not often found hibernating in houses, as the small tortoiseshell does. They can emerge quite early in the year if there is a unseasonable period of warmth. FoodCaterpillars: common nettle (Urtica dioica); adults: nectar including hemp agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum), butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii), ice plant (Sedum spectabile) and verbena (Verbena bonariensis. PlantsApple-mint, Butterfly bush, Butterfly bush, Common knapweed, Common nettle, Giant scabious, Ice plant, Lesser burdock, Michaelmas daisy, Round-leaved mint, Teasel, Verbena, Water mint |
