Description
Peacocks on Blackthorn by Julian Williams
SKU: B48
Greeting card with coloured envelope featuring butterflies
These butterfly cards are part of our Nature Notes Series
These cards include an introductory text on the back of the cards. TEXT written on the back of this card reads:
The Peacock Butterfly (Aglais io) on Blackthorn blossom
When these butterflies are resting or hibernating with their wings closed they look like dry brown leaves, however if they are disturbed they explode into colour, frightening predators by flashing their vivid blue eyes and making a hissing sound by rubbing their wings together.
In early spring those that have survived the cold winter months re-emerge from hidden crevices and hollow trees. They are one of the first butterflies of spring and may often be seen feeding and sunning themselves on blackthorn blossom. The smaller males are territorial. The females lay their eggs on nettles. After hatching the young caterpillars start their lives by living in cobwebby colonies. As they grow bigger the black spikey caterpillars become more independent and are quite easy to find.
In the autumn the adult butterflies are a common sight on thistles and buddleia gorging on nectar to fatten themselves up to survive the cold winter months.
Peacocks have a very wide distribution range from mid Scandinavia to southern Italy, and from Ireland to Japan
