Insect 🦋
🦋
Aglais io
| Size | 63–75 mm wingspan About the width of a credit card |
|---|---|
| Weight | 0.3 g Lighter than a paperclip |
| Lifespan | 11 months (overwinters as adult) |
| Rarity | Common |
| M vs F | Males and females look almost identical; males patrol sunny spots to find mates |
| Habitat | Gartens, woodland rides, meadows, wasteland — wherever Common Nettle grows |
| Best time | Spring (emerging from hibernation) and August–September (new brood) |
| Conservation | UK: Green LC |
Did you know?
The Peacock's eye-spots aren't just decoration — when threatened it opens its wings with a sudden hiss, creating an owl-face illusion that startles predators
The Peacock's eye-spots aren't just decoration — when threatened it opens its wings with a sudden hiss, creating an owl-face illusion that startles predators
More for experts
The caterpillars are entirely dependent on Common Nettle — one of the best reasons to leave an uncut nettle patch in your garden
Often confused with
Red Admiral (red bands, not eye-spots), Small Tortoiseshell (orange with blue-spotted border)
Red Admiral (red bands, not eye-spots), Small Tortoiseshell (orange with blue-spotted border)