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This peacock lives in Pääsküla on our veranda

 

 

The adults, or imagos, of the peacock hatched in the second half of July last year. After wintering, and the springtime mating this year we will see the last specimens from 2015 still flying around in early June.

 

They spend the winter in cellars, woodsheds, attics and similar locations. If a hibernating butterfly is exposed to warmth, if a summer house for instance is heated, the peacock starts to use up energy on waking and so is unable to survive until spring. A wakened butterfly should be brought to a cool and sheltered spot as quickly as possible (even to a shed outdoors) where it can fall asleep again. It is sometimes recommended to leave a cotton wool tuft moistened in water with dissolved sugar for feeding but providing such extra food has generally not given any good results.

 

 

The peacock belongs to the Nymphalidae or brushfooted butterfly family. Thanks to its large eyespots and bright colours it is easily recognizable. The underside of the wings resembles a dried leaf, an excellent protection, isn’t it?