Hailing from Argentina and Bolivia, the peacock butterfly (inachis io) is an iridescent jewel of nature. It is the only member of the genus known as Marpesia in the family Nymphalidae, and it’s easy to see why when you take a closer look. Often mistaken for a moth, the peacock butterfly has an opalescent green-blue colour and intricate wing markings.

Over the past few centuries, this butterfly has become quite popular as a symbol of celebration. For example, the American football team the Peacockers were named after this species of butterfly. However, modern-day science would call the peacock butterfly “a spectacular example of how life and evolution can work in wondrous ways”.

In this post, you’ll learn more about the butterfly’s life cycle, mating habits, and how to protect it from its predators. The photos we provide are sure to leave you in awe of this beautiful insect.

Peacock Butterfly Identification

Peacock butterfly on grass

The peacock butterfly is so bright, it’s almost impossible to look at without squinting or turning your head, but one thing is for sure — these butterflies are the stuff of dreams, even with their beautiful wings closed.

Fully grown peacock butterflies measure some 2 inches in length with a wingspan of 1.5 inches and are known to fly across South America. But what I find most interesting about the peacock butterfly is that its colours and patterns are completely iridescent, meaning that it can change from an almost colourless state to a blinding display of stunning colours in just one second.

This large butterfly has dark grey, bright blue, and red colours with white dots on its wings and has velvety dark undersides. It has a dagger-shaped jet black mark that runs across its body, making it resemble a peacock’s tail feathers. The coloured bands appear to be slightly darker than the butterfly’s body, so if you look at the butterfly from above, it appears to be a black and white striped pattern.

Peacock Butterfly Characteristics

The peacock butterfly has a few characteristics that set it apart from other butterfly species. For one, they mate only during flight. They are also a migratory butterfly that makes a journey annually from the northern regions of South America to the southern regions. It is believed that adult peacock butterflies travel about 1,800 to 2,000 miles and then makes its way back again in about five months.

Because this butterfly species is migratory, we believe that it has evolved with a few unique characteristics. For example, the peacock butterfly does not have to lay its eggs on tree branches or plant stem (like most butterflies) because it usually resides in open grassy areas where trees are scarce.

Another notable characteristic is its incredible tail-like wings. The wings of this magnificent insect are very different from what we are used to seeing in other UK butterflies and moths.

The peacock butterfly also has a “false head” on its bottom side (the underwings). This false head is created to trick would-be predators into thinking that the peacock butterfly is just another leaf or flower. Additionally, when threatened, the peacock butterfly makes a hissing sound by rubbing its wings together to deter would-be attackers.

Peacock Butterfly Habitat

Close up peacock butterfly sitting on ground

The peacock butterfly can be found in many parts of South America, Asia (as far as Japan) and Europe. It is a migratory butterfly, so the peacock butterfly flies away from cold temperatures during the winter and travels to warmer areas. These butterflies are also found in urban gardens and wooded areas of the British Isles.

In these areas, the butterfly is commonly found near gardens because its larva feeds on a plant called “Erythrina,” a small family of flowering trees. However, they are usually found in open grassy areas because these butterflies do not lay their eggs on tree branches or plants like most do.

The caterpillars can be found in the crowns of leaves or on the ground soil. In times of high temperatures, these butterflies prefer to stay on the ground.

Peacock Butterfly Life Cycle

Peacock butterflies have a unique life cycle that includes four stages: egg, larva, pupa (chrysalis), and adult forms. Just like other butterflies, this type begins its life cycle as an egg. The females lay one egg in the most suitable place, for example, on the underside of a nettle leaf, then neatly rolls it up with her mouthparts to protect it from predators. The elderberry tree is one of the common plants that these adult butterflies use as a place to lay their eggs.

The eggs hatch into a larva known as a peacock butterfly caterpillar. Unlike other caterpillars, the peacock caterpillar has a very voracious appetite and can eat up to 80 different plants. And because of its large appetite, the larvae grow to be about 4 inches long and 2 inches wide. This is when the peacock butterfly becomes more vulnerable, so the butterfly has to take further precautions while in this stage of its life cycle.

This is where the “false head” comes in; it disguises itself as an extra leaf that would usually be seen on a plant or flower. This acts as an excellent camouflage for this particular butterfly.

What Is The Diet Of a Peacock Butterfly?

Red flower of Erythrina crista-galli (Cockspur Coral tree)
Red flower of Erythrina

Although it is not known exactly what peacock butterflies eat, since it has a wide range of different plants that they can eat, studies have shown that in most regions of its range, the butterfly feeds on a plant called “Erythrina” which is a small family of flowering trees.

In the butterfly’s natural habitat, it is believed to feed on leaves and flowers from a number of different plants. However, the Erythrina plant is very important for the butterfly because this is where they lay their eggs.

What Do Peacock Caterpillars Eat?

Peacock butterfly caterpillars have an incredibly voracious appetite, and the adults feed on flowers, plants, berries, and other insects. This is because they are omnivores, meaning they can adapt to a wide range of different foods. Fully grown caterpillars can eat up to 50 different items that often include leaves, twigs, roots, and fruits.

It is also believed that the butterfly larvae feed on filamentous algae known as lichens, fungi, and mosses. In one study, peacock butterfly caterpillars were found feeding on 245 different types of plants that made their homes in Erythrina trees.

Does Anything Eat The Peacock Butterfly?

While the peacock butterfly does not have venom, they are not immune to attack. The pupa stage is extremely vulnerable to all kinds of insects, including fireflies and even spiders.

The most common enemy that they face during this time are red jays, an apparently innocent bird that has a voracious appetite for insects. These jays have a fondness of eating the peacock butterfly caterpillar, so much so that they have been known to eat up every last one of them within its territory.

Are Peacock Caterpillars Poisonous?

A number of Peacock Butterfly Caterpillars, Inachis io, feeding on a Stinging Nettle plant in a meadow.
A number of peacock butterfly caterpillars, feeding on stinging nettle leaves

Peacock butterflies display a remarkable ability to defend themselves, though they do not have any poisonous substance on them. The caterpillar, on the other hand, has a stinging organ which is used to scare away its enemy. The venom, however, is not strong enough to harm humans.

Are Peacock Butterflies Rare?

Previously, these butterflies were seen in large herds and could be found almost anywhere. But today, the peacock butterfly has become rare in some parts of the world because of deforestation and environmental destruction.

The peacock butterfly is also threatened by several types of predators, including birds and insects. Some of the significant hunters include red and blue jays, sparrows, and even the firefly.

The number of peacock butterflies in the wild has been declining since 2010. Luckily, conservationists are working to preserve this butterfly before it’s too late.

Protecting The Peacock Butterfly

The wild nature of the peacock butterfly is something that we need to protect, and there are many ways you can do so.

Because they have become more endangered due to deforestation, local people protect them from their natural predators like snakes and birds by weaving fences around their jungles. As a result, they have started growing more forests, which helps protect this endangered species from extinction.

If you live in Argentina or Bolivia, where this species lives and thrive, it is crucial to go out and plant more Erythrina trees in your neighbourhood so that more butterflies can make their home in your area.

Sources and References

  1. Butterflies Of Britain and Europe – learnaboutbutterflies.com
  2. Peacock Butterfly – treesforlife.org.uk

4 thoughts on “Peacock Butterfly (Inachis Io)”

  1. Hi Sam, I have just read this article as I found a butterfly that I had never seen. It was unfortunately dying but I took a photo as it was so beautiful. The bottom end of the wings were closed but it looks so similar to this peacock I thought I ought to contact uou as it was on a mountain in South wales. I have a photo and can send you the location if you are interested. Many thanks, clare

  2. We have just come across loads of these caterpillars in Donegal. So glad to see they are peacocks, as we have only seen one in our garden this year.
    Hopefully they will make it to becoming a butterfly 🦋

  3. I’ve just found a peacock butterfly behind a chair in my hallway, I’ve just released it into my garden, it looks like it’s gone to take shade. I’ve taken some photo’s and videos if you wish to see.

  4. I’m here because I’m currently trying to care for one back to health that I found when it landed on me INSIDE my flat !!

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