Peacock - Paon du jour

Description:

The striking Peacock often rests with its wings settled, but if disturbed will suddenly re-open them, producing a hissing sound created by rubbing forewings and hindwings together. The sudden appearance of the 'peacock eyes' functions to startle predators. The 'eyes' also divert the attack away from the butterfly's body to the less vital outer part of the wings. The dull undersides also help the butterfly to camouflage during hibernation.

Habitat:

Forest clearing, alt. 1850 m. Reported highest altitude for this species is 2500 m.

Notes:

The butterfly is found throughout most of Europe but is absent from northern Scandinavia, and from most of southern Spain and Portugal. Beyond Europe it is found across temperate Asia to Japan.