Peacock (Aglais io)

With its fake ‘eyes’ to deter predators, this beauty is one of the most recognisable of our butterflies; adults can sometimes be seen in winter but most likely from very early spring. While its garish wings see off potential prey, its resting undersides are a more muted brown, cleverly designed to merge with dead leaves and bark. Common in all UK gardens, adults feed on a wide range of garden flowers and are a regular sight on buddlejas in late summer, while its caterpillars like large nettle patches to eat. A large and strong flyer that frequents most habitats.

The peacock’s outer wings are spectacular, while the undersides are dark to merge with bark