UK: Peacock butterfly, Inachis io

[spiralsheep]

At tai chi, which my group practice outside, we were outnumbered by peacock butterflies (Inachis io), who flew around us and occasionally perched on us, so when we'd finished I grabbed my camera and chased them through the buddleia. The one I capped, probably a male, is this year's adult but has already faded from its brightest red and metallic blue. Adult wingspan is about 6.5 to 7cm (so the images on this page are about lifesize). The larvae/caterpillars are generally black and always spiky. More details and images here @ ukbutterflies.



( Three more similar images. )