From http://www.britishbutterflies.co.uk Text and Images copyright Steven Cheshire 2000 - - All rights reserved. (date created 08/09/2010) URL http://www.britishbutterflies.co.uk/asp/species.asp?vernacular=Peacock   Peacock Inachis io (Linnaeus, 1758) Family Nymphalidae 63-75mm Description Eggs are usually laid on the tips of vigorous nettle growth in full sun. The female butterfly lays in large batches of over 200 eggs which hatch about 10 days later. Spinning a silken tent at the tip of the nettle the newly emerged caterpillars feed en-mass. As they get larger they venture from the tent to feed. As they grow, they move to find new fresh nettle growth nearby, again en-mass until the final instar where they often feed out in the open. These striking vivid black spiky caterpillars are easily found, often in large numbers feeding on nettles in full sun. The caterpillars leave the nettle bed to pupate under nearby vegetation or trees. Pupae found on dark surfaces, such as trees, are often a pale grey colour while those under foliage are a yellow green, both forms have a metallic surface pattern and are very well camouflaged. The Adult butterflies emerge about 12 days later. Hibernation takes place in hollow trees, garden sheds and other sheltered places. Hibernating Adults can sometimes be seen on the wing in January on mild sunny days and is usually seen throughout late spring, summer and early autumn, with a peak in numbers in August. Habitat Larval Food Plants Common Nettle (Urtica dioica). Distribution Where to see the Peacock - All text, photographs, images & other graphic elements used on this web site are copyright Steven Cheshire 2000 - unless otherwise stated.