Peacock Inachis io

Habitat

The Peacock is a common and widespread resident throughout England & Wales, and is expanding its range into Scotland. It favours sheltered woodland clearings and meadows, and is common in gardens, especially attracted by Buddleia flowers

Identification

The Peacock is one of our most easily recognised butterflies due to its large eye-spots on the corners of both front and hindwings. The underside is very dark to provide camouflage during hibernation.

Flight times

The Peacock hibernates as an adult and usually emerges in March, flying until June. The single new generation then emerges in mid-July until entering hibernation, often as early as September.

Food plants

Eggs are laid in large clusters on the underside of Nettle leaves.

Peacock
Peacock - © Simon Jenkins.

Distribution Maps

2005-2009
Peacock distribution map 2005-09
2010-14
Peacock distribution map 2010-14
2015-19
Peacock distribution map 2015-19
2015
Peacock distribution map 2015
2015 Summary
No of tetrads 939
First sighting 04/01/2015
Last sighting 28/12/2015
2016
Peacock distribution map 2016
2016 Summary
No of tetrads 697
First sighting 10/01/2016
Last sighting 04/12/2016
2017
Peacock distribution map 2017
2017 Summary
No of tetrads 738
First sighting 08/01/2017
Last sighting 22/12/2017
2018
Peacock distribution map 2018
2018 Summary
No of tetrads 827
First sighting 10/01/2018
Last sighting 17/11/2018
2019
Peacock distribution map 2019
2019 Summary
No of tetrads 1114
First sighting 01/01/2019
Last sighting 30/12/2019
2020
Peacock distribution map 2020
2020 Summary
No of tetrads 1175
First sighting 02/01/2020
Last sighting 19/12/2020
2021
Peacock distribution map 2021
2021 Summary
No of tetrads 930
First sighting 06/01/2021
Last sighting 16/12/2021
2022
Peacock distribution map 2022
2022 Summary
No of tetrads 753
First sighting 12/01/2022
Last sighting 19/11/2022
2023
Peacock distribution map 2023
2023 Summary
No of tetrads 913
First sighting 26/01/2026
Last sighting 28/11/2023

Photo Gallery