Peacock
Inachis io
| Home | The Butterflies of Gloucestershire | Species | Habitats | Conservation |
PeacockInachis io |
|
|
| 17 August 1978 | 3 September 1977 |
Habitat
Like the other species with Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica)
as larval foodplant, Peacock can use many types of habitat where
the plant grows.
The adult butterflies are strong fliers, and often visit gardens and town parks where they may be seen taking nectar from flowers. In the countryside they are often seen in large numbers along tracks in farmland and woodland.
 |
 |
 |
Conservation Issues
The species is very common in spite of small-scale clearing of
nettle patches in urban habitat, and spraying with herbicide
on farmland.
|
Flight PeriodA warm winter's day can bring some Peacocks out of hibernation - this happened on 1 January 2000 for example. The majority of the hibernators are seen in April and early May, and late survivors sometimes last until the next generation begins to emerge in mid July.The summer population peaks quickly and then drops rapidly as most of the Peacocks go into hibernation after mid August.
DistributionThroughout the area.
|
 |
