European peacock butterfly on flower
The European peacock caterpillar (Inachis io), more commonly known simply as the peacock caterpillar, is a well-known colourful butterfly, found in temperate Europe and Asia. It is the only member of the genus Inachis which is sometimes included in Nymphalis. It should not be confused or classified with the "American peacocks" in the genus Anartia; these are not close relatives of the present species. The peacock butterfly is resident in much of its range, often wintering in buildings or trees. It therefore often appears quite early in butterfly measures about 5 cm (2 in) from wingtip to wingtip and is easily identified by its striking eye pattern on a ruddy background, although with wings closed the cryptically coloured dark underwings make it look like a dead leaf. The eyespots are reminiscent of those on the feathers of a peacock, hence the name. The eyespots are exposed when the butterfly is disturbed by a potential predator (such as a bird) in a startling anti-predator display. The butterflies flick their wings open and make a hissing noise. The open wings create an impression of the face of a mammal such as a cat, and this deters the predator for long enough for the butterfly to escape. They frequent gardens and particularly like Buddleias. Their caterpillars eat common (stinging) nettles. They hibernate as butterflies in garden sheds and hollows in trees. They can fly very fast and flash the spots on their aft wings to ward off predators
Size: 5278px × 3517px
Location: Winterton Gt Yarmouth Norfolk Great Britain
Photo credit: © Michael knowles / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
Keywords: buetiful, butterfly, caterpillers, close, colourful, defence, european, eyespots, feed, hibernates, inachis, insect, io, knowles, michael, peacock, pritty, warnig
