Peacock butterfly
Aglais io
The Peacock butterfly is one of the most recognizable European butterflies, featuring four large, colorful eyespots on a reddish-brown background. These eyespots serve to deter predators like birds by mimicking the eyes of a larger animal. The undersides of the wings are dark brown and marbled, providing excellent camouflage when the butterfly rests with closed wings. The larvae are black with white dots and spines and feed almost exclusively on the common stinging nettle.
Details
Identification
Four large, colorful eyespots; reddish-brown base color; scalloped wing edges; dark, camouflaged wing underside.
Social behavior
Adult butterflies are solitary; larvae live gregariously in protective silk webs during their early stages.
Diet
Adult butterflies are generalists feeding on nectar (e.g., thistles, buddleia); larvae are specialists on stinging nettles.
Spawning substrate
Undersides of Common Nettle (Urtica dioica) leaves in sunny locations.
Overwintering
Overwinters as an imago (adult butterfly) in frost-free, damp quarters such as caves, cellars, or attics.
Ecology
Ecological role
Important pollinator for numerous wild plants; larvae and butterflies serve as prey for birds and predatory insects.
Natural predators
Songbirds, spiders, assassin bugs, ichneumon wasps (parasitoids), bats.
Competitor species
Other nettle-feeding larvae such as those of the Small Tortoiseshell or Map butterfly.
Ecosystem service
Pollination of flowering plants.
Threats
Use of insecticides, excessive mowing of stinging nettle patches, loss of flower-rich marginal structures.
Scientific profile
Profile
Distinguishing features
Four large, multi-colored eyespots (ocelli) on the upperside to deter predators. Serrated wing margins. When resting with closed wings, it is nearly indistinguishable from dark backgrounds.
Habitat
Diverse: forest edges, meadows, gardens, parks, and ruderal areas; requires nettle stands for reproduction.
Protection & threats
Main threats
Agricultural intensification, excessive mowing of roadsides, use of herbicides against nettles.
Population trend
Stable; one of the most common and widespread butterfly species in Central Europe.
Conservation measures
Preservation of nettle margins, promotion of flower-rich meadows, avoidance of insecticides in gardening.