Peacock
Aglais io
Overview
The Peacock is one of Britain's most beautiful butterflies — the brilliant eye spots in vivid blue, red, yellow and black on the wings are extraordinary close up. It hibernates as an adult in dark spaces (hollow trees, outbuildings) and can appear on warm sunny days in any month. Adults from the summer generation hibernate then mate and lay eggs in spring. The larvae feed communally on nettles — a patch of nettles in the dune scrub with a web of silk and shredded leaves is probably Peacock larvae.
At a Glance
| Order | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Nymphalidae |
| Habitat | Dune grassland · Garden · Woodland edge · Scrub edge |
| Diet | Adults: Buddleia, thistle, knapweed, Ragwort, Bramble. Larvae: Common Nettle. |
| UK population | Widespread and common; increasing |
| Sefton Coast | Common and increasing throughout the Sefton Coast; present almost year-round |
| Conservation | UK Green List |
Where to See It
Anywhere on the Sefton Coast in warm weather — dune grassland, scrub, gardens. Feeds on Buddleia, thistles and Ragwort.
Identification
Large, striking butterfly. Deep red-brown with four large, vivid eye spots (blue/black/red/yellow). Underside very dark — almost black, giving excellent camouflage when wings closed.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Any warm sunny day in the dune grassland or on a Buddleia in gardens near Formby. March visits produce fresh hibernating adults that have overwintered.
Conservation Status
UK Green List
This species has a favourable conservation status in the UK and remains an important part of Sefton Coast biodiversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the eye spots on a Peacock butterfly for?
The eye spots serve multiple defence functions. They can startle a predator (a bird pecking at what it thinks is a leaf suddenly sees four 'eyes'). The butterfly also stridulates — rubbing its wings together to make a hissing sound simultaneously with flashing the eye spots. This combined visual and acoustic startle can deter even experienced predators.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.