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Peacock Butterfly

Aglais io

Description:

The European Peacock (Inachis io), more commonly known simply as the Peacock butterfly, is a colourful butterfly, found in Europe and temperate Asia as far east as Japan. Classified as the only member of the genus Inachis (the name is derived from Greek mythology, meaning Io, the daughter of Inachus). It should not be confused or classified with the "American peacocks" in the genus Anartia; these are not close relatives of the Eurasian species. The Peacock butterfly is resident in much of its range, often wintering in buildings or trees. It therefore often appears quite early in spring. The Peacock butterfly has figured in research where the role of eye-spots as anti-predator mechanism has been investigated. In the British Isles, the butterfly is found in England, Scotland (including Orkney and Shetland), Wales, and Ireland. The Peacock is expanding its range. The butterfly has a wingspan of 50 to 55 mm. The base-colour of the wings is a rusty red, and at each wingtip it bears a distinctive, black, blue and yellow eye-spot. The underside is a cryptically coloured dark-brown or black.

Habitat:

The Peacock can be found in woods, fields, meadows, pastures, parks, and gardens, and from lowlands up to 2,500 metres (8,200 ft) elevation. It is a relatively common butterfly seen in many European parks and gardens. The Peacock male exhibits territorial behaviour, in many cases territories being selected en route of the females to oviposition sites

Notes:

Io is a figure in Greek mythology. She was a priestess of Hera in Argos. Aglais io and Inachis io are the same. Aglais io the correct scientific name in use today.

2 Species ID Suggestions

Peacock Butterfly
Inachis io Inachis io
tmvdh
tmvdh 11 years ago
Peacock
Aglais io


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7 Comments

bayucca
bayucca 11 years ago

Yes, I would:
http://www.faunaeur.org/full_results.php...
You may add it as a tag and add it in the info section.

pamsai
pamsai 11 years ago

So bauycca, should I correct this ID to Aglais io?

pamsai
pamsai 11 years ago

fnanks LauraMaria and Skitolaf8 for for comments...

pamsai
pamsai 11 years ago

thanks Nuwan for the ID, and also tmvdh...

bayucca
bayucca 11 years ago

Aglais io and Inachis io are the same. Aglais io is the today used correct scientific name.

Skitolaf8
Skitolaf8 11 years ago

Awesome photos! That butterfly is beautiful!

LauraMaria
LauraMaria 11 years ago

Beautiful photos, pamsai! This is a peacock butterfly, and your photos show it off in all its stunning glory!!

pamsai
Spotted by
pamsai

Ireland

Spotted on Aug 8, 2012
Submitted on Aug 8, 2012

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