Peacock Caterpillar
Aglais io (caterpillar)
The peacock butterfly caterpillar lives on stinging nettles in sunny, sheltered places such as field edges, gardens, and woodland clearings. It feeds by chewing nettle leaves and often rests exposed on the food plant while protected by its black, spiny appearance. When threatened, it curls or twitches and presents its bristly body as an unpleasant target. A notable feature is its reliance on nettles, a plant that deters many grazing animals but supports several specialist butterfly larvae.
- Type
- Venom
- Conservation status
- NE
Growth chain
- Peacock Caterpillar
- Peacock Chrysalis
- Peacock Butterfly