# Peacock Butterfly (*Nymphalis io*) The Peacock Butterfly is a stunning butterfly with eye-like spots on its wings. It looks like a little jewel flying around! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Gardens and woodlands - **Also known as:** European Peacock, Peacock Eye Butterfly ![Peacock Butterfly](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426357/objects/5476.jpg) ## Appearance The Peacock Butterfly has striking reddish-brown wings, each adorned with a large, iridescent blue and black eyespot resembling an owl's eye. Its underside is dark and camouflaged, helping it blend in when its wings are closed. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Nymphalidae - **Genus:** Aglais ## Interesting facts - Adult butterflies can live through winter by hiding in cool, quiet places like tree hollows. - Peacock Butterflies can make a soft "hissing" sound by rubbing their wings together! - Their caterpillars weave communal silk "tents" where they munch on nettles together. - They taste with their feet to find the best plants for laying their eggs. ## Special abilities - **Startling Display:** Peacock Butterfly can suddenly flash its vibrant eyespots to surprise and deter hungry predators like birds. - **Sound Defense:** Peacock Butterfly can rub its wings together to produce a faint hissing sound, helping to warn off potential threats. - **Winter Survival:** Peacock Butterfly can hibernate as an adult, allowing it to survive cold winters and emerge early in spring. - **Camouflage Undersides:** Peacock Butterfly has dark, bark-like wing undersides, which it uses to blend in perfectly when resting with wings closed. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 50-65 mm - **Size:** 25-35 mm - **Lifespan:** 30-330 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Caterpillars munch on nettles, while adult butterflies sip nectar, tree sap, and rotting fruit. - **Age differences:** Caterpillars feed on plant leaves (primarily nettles), while adults feed on liquid plant matter. - **Primary Foods:** nectar, tree sap, rotting fruit, stinging nettle - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Stinging Nettle (*Urtica dioica*) — Caterpillars feed on leaves. - **Eaten by:** [European Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-robin) (*Erithacus rubecula*) — Birds may prey on adults. - **Pollinates:** [Butterfly Bush](https://www.snappit.app/explore/butterfly-bush) (*Buddleja davidii*) — Adults visit for nectar. - **Pollinates:** [Dandelion](https://www.snappit.app/explore/dandelion) (*Taraxacum officinale*) — Early spring nectar source. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Peacock Butterfly? Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Peacock Butterfly's wingspan? 50-65 mm ### How big is Peacock Butterfly? 25-35 mm ### How long does Peacock Butterfly live? 30-330 days ### What does Peacock Butterfly eat? Caterpillars munch on nettles, while adult butterflies sip nectar, tree sap, and rotting fruit. ### Where is Peacock Butterfly usually found? Gardens and woodlands ### How does Peacock Butterfly hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Peacock Butterfly have? 6 ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Peacock Butterfly: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/peacock-butterfly)