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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [Dutch] |
Inachis io (Linnaeus, 1758) / European Peacock / Dagpauwoog / Tagpfauenauge / Paon du Jour.
The European Peacock (Inachis io or Nymphalis io), more commonly known simply as the Peacock Butterfly, is a well-known colourful butterfly, found in temperate Europe and Asia. It is the only member of the genus Inachis (the name is derived from Greek mythology, meaning Io, [the daughter] of Inachus). It should not be confused or classified with the "American peacocks" in the genus Anartia; these are not close relatives of the present species. The Peacock butterfly is resident in much of its range, often wintering in buildings or trees. It therefore often appears quite early in spring.
Characteristics
The butterfly has a wingspan of 50 to 55 mm. The base-colour of the wings is a rusty red, and at each wingtip it bears a distinctive, black, blue and yellow eye-spot.
The caterpillars grow up to 42 mm in length.
Reproduction and food
The butterfly hibernates over winter before laying its eggs in early spring, in batches of up to 500 at a time. The caterpillars, which are shiny black with six rows of barbed spikes and a series of white dots on each segment, hatch after about a week and feed on nettles and hops.
The adult butterflies drink nectar from a wide variety of flowering plants, including buddleia, willows, dandelions, wild marjoram, danewort, hemp agrimony, and clover; they also utilize tree sap and rotten fruit.
Habitat
The Peacock can be found in woods, fields, meadows, pastures, parks, and gardens, and from lowlands up to 8,200 feet (2,500 m) elevation. It is a relatively common butterfly seen in many European parks and gardens.
Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inachis_io
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