Peacock Butterfly.

• 29 Jan, 2011
• 1 like

I must have disturbed the hibernation of this lovely butterfly. Its wings were trembling and it was flapping its wings as though to dry them as it would do when emerging from the chrysalis. In the case of the Peacock it is using its bright colours and the trembling action which makes a rustling sound to create fear in its enemies. The male is slightly smaller than the female and is very territorial. It chases away any the competion. Its colours are exquisite. I read up on the internet that the adults hibernate over winter and lay up to 500 eggs on nettles. They then die off. When the eggs hatch around a week later thehairy black caterpillars spin a communal web nest to hide them and they eat the nettles. Later they pupate on their own and when they emerge their food is ready in the form of sedum, hebe and buddleia flower nectar. It has beautiful swallowtail wings and I hope it can go back and hibernate again as it is freezing fog here today.