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| The Peacock is impossible to confuse with any other species because of its dramatic eye-spots. Male and female are alike |
In contrast to the colourful topside, the underwing is almost black, with a hint of brown on the forewing and just a slight sheen overall |
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| The Peacock is one of the few butterflies which hibernate in the UK. This one chose a rather unusual position - the back of an old sofa in our garage! I'm delighted to say that it successfully came out of hibernation the next spring |
I can't guarantee this is it, but a number of Peacocks emerged from their hiding-places in the garage and took advantage of nearby pear tree blossom to "refuel" before flying off |
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| An "army" of caterpillars communally feeding on common stinging nettle (Urtica Dioica), the primary food plant |
Close-up of caterpillars, showing spines and distinctive white spots |
Discarded skins from a previous moult, on a nearby stem |
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| A group of four chrysalis from caterpillars raised in a jar at home, suspended from dying nettle stems |
Close-up of the group of chrysalis. The colour is highly variable, ranging from dull grey to bright yellow, as in this case |
View of "mature" chrysalis showing the colours and patterns of the metamorphosed butterfly inside, ready to emerge |
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| Once emerged, the butterflies need to hang suspended to let their wings fully extend and dry out ready for flight |
When they are dry, the wings need a few quick flicks to warm them up and then it's away we go |
This one decided it needed a bit more rest before the off though, so sought a nearby finger! |
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| We also raised a "brood" the next year but this time in a box rather than a jar, which made the chrysalises easier to see. Note the rather gruesome discarded skins! |
This chrysalis, on the base of the box, appears to have a "zip" to permit an easy exit! |
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| We allowed the butterflies to emerge into a net, so we could release them more easily. On the left is a group of three about to go (two with wings extended, one with wings folded and vertical). As in the previous year, a finger provided a convenient jumping off point for one of them but eventually it was up, up & away into the flower border |
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