Peacock Butterfly Caterpillar
Aglais io (larva)
- Order & Family
- Order: Lepidoptera, Family: Nymphalidae
- Size
- Up to 42 mm (1.7 inches) in length
Natural Habitat
Peacock butterfly caterpillars are typically found in areas with their host plant, stinging nettles. This includes meadows, woodland edges, gardens, and hedgerows.
Diet & Feeding
The primary diet of the Peacock Butterfly caterpillar consists of the leaves of nettles (Urtica dioica).
Behavior Patterns
Peacock butterfly caterpillars are social in their early instars, living in communal nests spun from silk. As they grow older, they become more solitary. They are active during the day, feeding on host plants. When fully grown, they will pupate, forming a chrysalis from which the adult butterfly emerges.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: These caterpillars pose no direct risk to humans. Benefits: As caterpillars, they are an important part of the food chain, providing food for birds and other predators. As adult butterflies, they are pollinators and contribute to biodiversity.