Peacock

Scientific Name - Aglais io

Flight Period - All year

Overwinters as - Adult

Habitat - Gardens, Parks, Grasslands, Woodlands

Larval foodplants - Common Nettle

Conservation status - Low priority

Northamptonshire distribution - Widespread

Best public sites to see them - Anywhere with suitable habitat

The Peacock is a common and widespread butterfly in Northamptonshire although in recent years it has become increasingly scarce during the latter part of summer. This is believed to be due to their habit of going into aestivation during hot weather prior to starting their overwintering diapause. During the winter they can be found overwintering in a variety of places such as sheds, bird hides, old buildings and tunnels etc. If disturbed they can flash their wings open to show the eye-spots and sometimes even give an alarming hiss at the same time. It is an effective technique and tests have shown that it has a remarkable ability to scare off any would be predators. As this butterfly overwinters as an adult it is often one of the first butterflies to be seen each year and it certainly gladdens the heart after the long winter months to see the first ones of the year nectaring on the spring blossom.

Peacock Distribution 2018 - 2022

Peacock

Peacock larvae

Peacocks can often be found overwintering in old building and tunnels. This one is spending the winter with a group of Herald moths in the Great Oxendon Tunnel

As the Peacock overwinters as an adult they are among the first butterflies to be seen each year. Seeing Peacocks nectaring on spring blossom is a very welcome sight after the winter months