Recognise the European Peacock buttterfly

30th August 2021

The peacock butterfly is one of the commonest garden butterflies, found throughout England and Wales, but more rarely in Scotland. It has brownish-red wings, each with a single, large scary eyespot. When it rests with its wings closed, the undersides of the wings are camouflaged almost black. The caterpillars feed on nettles, pupate and then adults emerge in July to feed on nectar from Buddleja and other tubular flowers before they hibernate for winter in dark crevices, sheds and tree holes. Adults emerge again in spring to mate and lay eggs - so leave some nettles for them!