The female butterflies lay eggs in large clusters and when the caterpillars hatch they build a communal web on their foodplant from which they emerge to feed. As they grow and move to new plants they build new webs, only dispersing shortly before pupation when they are fully grown.
The pupa hangs head-down from a leaf or stalk, and is green or dark grey depending on the colour of the adjacent foliage.
What do the caterpillars eat?
Flowers they take nectar from
Adults take nectar from a wide variety of flowers, including betony, blackthorn, bluebell, brambles, buddleja, bugle, common fleabane, cuckooflower, dandelions, devil's-bit scabious, ground-ivy, hawkweeds, hemp-agrimony, ragworts, thistles, water mint, wild marjoram, wild privet, wild teasel and yarrow2. .
How are they doing?
The population of peacock butterflies appears stable at present with the 2022 State of UK butterflies report showing almost no difference in numbers since1976 but a 36% increase in distribution as the species has expanded its range northwards3..
Other interesting facts
When threatened, peacock butterflies are able to rub their wings together to produce a hissing sound.
References
3. State of UK Butterflies 2022 report
Page written by Judy Skinner, reviewed and compiled by Steve Head