Peacock   Inachis io

Inachis io peacock butterfly Inachis io peacock caterpillar

We don't get huge numbers of this spectacular but common butterfly in our garden but every visit is welcome. As the Sedum spectabile (Ice Plant) begins to flower Peacocks do arrive but soon there are none to be seen as it is one of the very first to go into hibernation.

The larvae are known to feed on Urtica dioica (Stinging Nettle), Urtica urens (Small Nettle) and Humulus lupulus (Hop) but I rarely ever see them except on this one occasion during a Wild Flower Society meeting in London.

LHS: Our Garden, Cheshire 2nd September 2002 RHS: Ham River lands, London 7th July 2007

Added on 5th October 2004, amended January 28th 2005, updated 26th June & November 6th 2008, updated 6th June 2010

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