The European peacock (or Aglais io) is a species of butterfly living throughout the temperate grasslands and woodlands of Europe and Asia. It has four red wings with brown edges and distinctive eye spots. These eye spots may be made up of yellow, blue, red or purple scales and have black surrounding marks. The undersides of the wings are brown to black. Males and females looks alike, although females may be up to 10% larger than males. European peacocks reach a wingspan of 5cm to 6.4cm. Caterpillars of the European peacock are black and hairy, and the chrysalises are green with pointed ridges on the dorsal side.
Latin Name
Aglais io
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european-peacock
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Animal Facts
The European peacock butterfly can make a hissing noise that is audible to human ears by rubbing its wings together, which appears to aid in warding off rodent predators.
The European peacock butterfly’s wing pattern is a defence mechanism, with the eye spots and butterfly body looking like a bird’s eyes and beak to scare off predators.
Many of the caterpillars of the European peacock butterfly fall victim to parasitic wasps.
In Japan, the European butterfly is a positive symbol for a happy marriage.
The underside of the European peacock’s wings are camouflaged to look like a dead leaf. This comes in especially useful when they hibernate through winter.
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