A familiar butterfly in our gardens.
Where to see
- Habitat: Widespread in towns and countryside, including gardens.
- Caterpillar foodplants: Stinging nettles
- Best places: Anywhere there are flowers to provide nectar.
Distribution map
Peacock was recorded from these 1km squares in Dorset (2015-19).
- Key:
- 1 record
- 2-9 records
- 10+ records
When to see
Generally single brooded, emerging in July and lasting through the following spring, but there may be an occasional second brood in the south of the UK. Seen on the wing for most months of the year from March.
Sightings by month (last 5 years)*
This year and last*
What to look for
You may encounter the adult butterfly on the wing from March through to October. Males and females are very similar.
This is a large butterfly, and there is no butterfly at all similar from above. From below, they are our darkest butterfly; the Comma is also dark, but the ragged edges to its wings make it easy to differentiate.
The Peacock has several lines of defence against predators: 1) When their wings are folded they are dark and very difficult to see. 2) When attacked, they can flash their eyespots and hiss, by rubbing their wings together. 3) If they are attacked by birds, the big ‘eyespots’ on their wings fool the predator into thinking they are eyes and attacking this part of the wing, thus only harming the wing rather than the more vulnerable body. 4) Not only can they hiss, but they can produce ultrasonic clicks, which deter bats.
You may find the adult butterfly (which is one of only six which overwinters as an adult) in your shed, hibernating over the winter. In the wild they probably hibernate in hollow trees.
This is a species where, around June, you may be aware of the black spiny caterpillars, which will be seen in large numbers on stinging nettles.
Photo gallery
Click thumbnails to view full-size images.
Peacock. Photo: Ken Dolbear
Peacock on dandelion in April. Note how, when the hindwings are not fully spread, the butterfly is less eye-catching.Photo: Lyn Pullen
Peacock showing wing damage from a bird. Photo: Ken Dolbear
Peacock in September. Photo: Ken Dolbear
Peacock underwing. Photo: Ken Dolbear
Peacock hibernating in a cave on Portland; the white blob is a spider's nest. Photo: Mark Culbreth
Peacock (top) and SMALL TORTOISESHELL together, giving an idea of comparative size
Peacock caterpillar. Photo: Sue Anderson
Peacock caterpillars. Photo: Dave Law