European Peacock Butterfly

The European Peacock is one of Britain's most easily recognised butterflies. It has large, bright eye-like spots on each wing. These markings look like peacock feathers, with bright blue centres surrounded by yellow, red, and black on deep maroon upper wings. The underside of the wings is dark and looks like tree bark, helping the butterfly blend in when resting. The wingspan of adults is between 63 and 69 millimetres. This butterfly is found all over the British Isles and much of temperate Europe, stretching as far as Japan. It lives in gardens, the edges of woodlands, hedgerows, and meadows full of flowers. Adults are especially attracted to buddleia, thistles, and other flowers that have a lot of nectar. Unlike most British butterflies, the European Peacock spends the winter as an adult. They hibernate in dark, sheltered places like sheds, hollow trees, and buildings. They come out on warm days in late winter.