Peacock

Aglais io (Linnaeus, 1758)

Status

Description

A medium sized butterfly. The underside is a dark marbled colour with no obvious markings. The upperside is very distinctive, being  maroon with what looks like two large “eyes”, one on each wing. If resting with its wings closed, the butterfly will flash these “eyes” if disturbed so as to deter or distract any potential predator. Males and females are similar.

Habitat Requirements

We know very little about the existence of this species in Corfu. Its possible that it is a local resident in the north eastern corner of the island.

Larval Foodplants

Nettle Urtica dioica, Hop Humulus lupulus, Eastern Pellitory-of-the-wall Parietaria officinalis.

Observations

The first sighting of this species was made by CBC member David Cook. David recorded the butterfly on Mt Pantokrator 31 May 2019. Presumably this was a hill topping migrant.

Between that first sighting and the end of 2021 there were 6 individuals recorded and then in 2023 a further 14 were observed, a significant increase in sightings. 

*The information provided in the tables below is based on verified sightings of the Peacock submitted via this website since 1st January 2021.

First and Last Sightings

Year First Last/latest # Days
2023 16/02/2023 19/07/2023 153 days
2021 02/03/2021 03/10/2021 215 days

Number of Observations

Year Number of observations
2023 14
2022 0
2021 6
Grand Total 20

Distribution Map

Distribution maps for this species are currently unavailable.

Flight Times for the Peacock (2023)

The chart below shows flight data by month for 2023

Flight Times for the Peacock (All Data)

The chart below shows flight data by month since 1st January 2021

Taxonomy

  • Vernacular/Common Name: Peacock
  • Family: Nymphalidae (Rafinesque, 1815)
  • Sub-family: Nymphalinae (Rafinesque, 1815)
  • Tribe: Nymphalini (Rafinesque, 1815)
  • Genus: Aglais (Dalman, 1816)
  • Species: io (Linnaeus, 1758)

References

For a list of references, please see our bibliography page.