Ireland’s most distinctive species, the Peacock is a has a rich red upperside with striking eye-like markings, giving it its common name. Like the Small Tortoiseshell it too uses Nettle as a foodplant and it is commonly seen in parks and gardens.

Distribution: Most of Europe but absent from southern Iberia and northern Fennoscandia.

Flight Period: July-September, with post-hibernation adults flying March-May.

Habitat: Parks, gardens, woodland margins, meadows, flowery scrub.

Foodplants: Nettle (Urtica dioica).

Nectar Sources: Dandelions (Taraxacum), willows (Salix), Buddleia, Privet (Ligustrum vulgare), Sedum, scabiouses (Knautia, Succisa), knapweeds (Centaurea), thistles (Carduus, Cirsium), mints (Mentha), Marjoram (Origanum majorana) among others

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