Peacock
Aglais io
National Status
Common as far north as Central Scotland, range expanding. Population trend 10 years to 2016 +21%; since 1976 +17%.
West Midlands Status
Common throughout the region, range stable. Population trend 10 years to 2016 – strong increase.
Peacock was recorded in 1131 squares in 2026
10 Year Trend Analysis
Habitat
Wide range of habitats including woodland rides, meadows, hedgerows and particularly in gardens nectaring on buddleias (Buddleja spp).
Caterpillar Food Plant
The main foodplant is Common Nettle (Urtica dioica). Hop (Humulus lupulus) and Small Nettle (Urtica urens) are also used.
Refer to the Gardening for butterflies website by Joseph Shaffery for more details about caterpillar food plants and nectar sources.
Life Cycle
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Egg | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Larva | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pupa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adult | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Flight Period
Overwintering adults may be recorded as early as January on warmer, sunny days but most emerge from hibernation in late March and early April. These mate and most have disappeared by mid-May. The new generation appears in mid-July but the butterflies are on the wing for only a short time, as they hibernate early compared with other hibernating species.
First/Last Sightings 2026
| First Sighting | Recorded by | Last Sighting | Recorded by |
| 17 January | Ruth Newby | 15 October | Harris, Judy |
Distribution Map
Key
Total number of sightings per tetrad
Hotspots
Gardens in late summer.