Inachis io (Peacock, Tagpfauenauge, Paon de Jour)

Inachis io, also called Peacock or Tagpfauenauge is a common butterfly from Palaearctic ecozone (Europe). The first description was in 1758 by Linnaeus. With a wingspan of 5.0 – 6.0 cm the Peacock is a small member of the family NYMPHALIDAE. The butterfly is auburn and has four big eyes on wings.

Photos for easy identification

Photo © by Thomas Neubauer, 16.09.2006

Photo © by Thomas Neubauer, 16.09.2006

Photo © by Rudolf Faustmann

These are nice photos of Inachis io (Peacock, Tagpfauenauge, Paon de Jour). Inachis io is a member of the family NYMPHALIDAE from Palaearctic (Europe).

Description

The forewings are auburn. The margin is ridged and brown. On the wing leading edge there are two black spot. There is a big eye in yellow, blue and black on the wing. Nearby the eye there are some little small white spots. So you can think the eye is crying.
The underside is dark marmorate and dreary.

The hind wings are auburn. The margin is ridged and brown. There is a big blue eye on the wing. Around the eye there is a light area.
The underside is dark marmorate and dreary.

The body is dark brown and hairy.

Sex differences: None

Distribution

The Peacock (Inachis io) is a common butterfly of the Palaearctic ecozone (Europe and Asia). The distribution include whole Europe and Asia from Arctic circle to the North of Africa, Iran, Pakistan and China. You can see the Peacock until 2500 m sea level.

This world map shows the ecozones in which this butterfly is distributed.

Flight period

The flight period of the Peacock is from June to Oktober.

Larval food

Stinging nettle

Photo © by Thomas Neubauer

Photo © by Thomas Neubauer

Photo © by Thomas Neubauer

General information

The first description of this butterfly was in 1758 by Linnaeus. There are only two subspecies.

Inachis io caucasica [Jachontov, 1912]
Inachis io geisha [Stichel, 1908]

The caterpillar is black with many, little white spots and it is thorny. The pupa has no silken girdl. This species overwinters as imago.
The Peacock is one of the most common butterflies of Europe.

Protection provisions / Red List

CITES: (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora):

-no entry- (as at 23.06.2005)
EU regulation on trading with species of wild Fauna and Flora

-no entry- (as at 19.08.2005)
IUCN Red List of threatened species:

-no entry- (as at 2004) (see: www.redlist.org/)
Red List of endangered species of Austria:

-not endangered (category +)- (see: www.roteliste.at/)
Regulation of the Viennese regional government:

-protected as imago- (see: www.wien.gv.at/recht/landesrecht-wien/rechtsvorschriften/html/l4800200.htm)