The Most Beautiful Butterfly of Ireland

 
 

The Peacock Butterfly
 

 
 

Multicolored Butterfly (Nymphalidae Family)

The Peacock butterfly or sometimes known by its scientific name, Inachis
       io, is one of the most beautiful Irish butterflies that belong to the Aristocrat
       family (Nymphalidae).
 

  They are very large with wingspans of 2.5 inches (64 mm).
 

  The Peacock butterfly lives a relatively long life, up to one year.
 

  The Peacock butterfly will hibernate throughout the entire winter.
 

  The Peacock butterfly can be seen in gardens, particularly where the
       Buddleia plant grows, or any open flowery places of any kind.  This plant
       grows all over Dublin City, even out of old walls.
 

Other Interesting facts: During the winter, Peacock butterflies hibernate in large groups and mate and breed the following spring.  Once mated the female butterfly can lay up to 500 eggs on the underside of a fresh leaf.  They can create a hissing sound by rubbing their wings together if disturbed or bothered.