The peacock butterfly is one of the most beautiful butterfly species we can see in the garden. In our delight we completely forget that it also includes ravenous caterpillars. Learn more about the 2009 Butterfly of the Year.
How is the peacock butterfly profile designed?
The peacock butterfly (Aglais io) is a striking butterfly from the noble butterfly family. It goes through developmental stages from egg, caterpillar, pupa to adult butterfly. The distinctive pattern on its rusty red wings shows eyes on the wing tips. The habitat extends across Europe and Asia, and food comes from a wide variety of purple flowers.
Name and family
The peacock butterfly has the scientific name Aglais io. The butterfly comes from the noble butterfly family.
Different stages of development
The peacock butterfly goes through different stages of development. A caterpillar hatches from an egg, which pupates after a few weeks and turns into a butterfly. This winters in a hiding place and mate the following spring. This is how the cycle closes.
Appearance of the eggs
- each butterfly lays 50 to 150 eggs
- previously only in May or June, now a second time in September
- The storage area is the underside of nettle leaves
- each egg is about 1mm small and greenish in color
- with eight white longitudinal ribs
- after two weeks the caterpillars hatch
The Caterpillars
- are initially only 3 mm long
- they are white-greenish, have a black head
- feed on nettle leaves
- living together
- molt after a few days
- then turn grey-brown
- more molts to follow
- after 3-4 weeks they are fully grown
- are then up to 42 m long
- have black body with white spots and black thorns
- Pupation will follow soon
Adult butterfly
The butterfly hatches after about two weeks. He pumps up his wings with air and blood so that they harden and he can fly. The wings have a striking pattern that makes the butterfly unmistakable.
- have a rusty red color
- There is a colorful eye on each wingtip
- wing undersides are gray, with black marbling
- Wingspan is 50 to 55 mm
Note:If the wings are closed, the peacock butterfly can be mistaken for a wilted leaf. Spreading the wings, on the other hand, can drive away potential predators because the patterns are perceived as the eyes of a larger animal.
Lifespan
The adult butterfly lives for a year, often two. The climatic conditions and how well the butterfly can overwinter are crucial for its lifespan. To do this, he visits caves or human dwellings, among other things. The location must be frost-free but below 12 °C. Then you fall into hibernation.
habitat
The butterfly is native to Europe and Asia, with the exception of Greece, parts of the Iberian Islands and areas not far from the North Pole, such as. B. Northern Scandinavia. It lives up to an altitude of 2,500 m.
The peacock butterfly can be found in light, sunny forests or colorful meadows. But it also finds suitable habitats in populated areas. This butterfly can be seen in parks, cemeteries and private gardens.
Food
While the caterpillars feed exclusively on the nettle plant, adult butterflies can fly to various flowers and suck their nectar, although they seem to have a preference for purple flowers. Popular options include thistles, blue cushions, buddleia, dahlias, sweet peas and thyme. In spring, the first thing that attracts attention is the willow, also known as the pussy willow.
Predators
The peacock butterfly also has predators. These are other insects and some species of birds.
