This summer we have raised beautiful butterflies. We have been raising Ladybirds over the last two years as a method of natural control for Aphids. After a slow start, many varieties of Ladybird can now be found throughout the garden and Apiary munching away on Aphids. So, inspired by this we have been raising butterflies this year. We wanted to raise indigenous butterflies.
The Butterfly Conservation Trust provides a great guide to local Butterflies of Scotland. Using this as our starting point we decided to go for one of the most showy kinds...the Peacock Butterfly. They lay their young in nettle beds and need a large stock of them to feed. The catterpillars have large spines to protect themselves from predators. They are instantly recognisable from these spines and their little white dots contrasted against their jet blackbodies.
Peacock butterfly life cycle
Egg laying time - Over the next couple of months after waking from hibernation the peacock butterfly will lays its eggs, often about 500 at a time and several layers deep, on the underside of stinging nettle leaves. By laying them in layers they increase the chances that some will be protected from desiccation and birds looking for a meal. In the ensuing weeks the adults, which have now lived for almost a year, die of old age.
Peacock butterfly caterpillars -As the adults are dying of old age the caterpillars of the next generation hatch out and start fattening up on nettle leaves. Peacock butterfly caterpillars are black with white speckles and black spikes.
Peacock butterfly chrysalis - In July the peacock caterpillars form chrysalides. The chrysalides are spun onto plant stems for support, and they can be green or grey depending on surroundings. It takes 12 days for a peacock butterfly caterpillar to transform into a butterfly.
Transformation into butterflies - Peacock butterflies emerge as adults in August and so the cycle goes on. Adult peacock butterflies have a wingspan of 6-7cm.
Peacock butterfly lifespan - Peacock butterflies live for up to 11 months, with several months spent in hibernation.
Hibernation over winter - It is incredible to think that every year in Britain butterflies manage to survive the harsh winter by hibernating but one of our most striking species, the peacock, does just that. In the weeks leading up to hibernation, peacock butterflies convert some of their blood sugar into glycerol to act as a kind of anti-freeze in anticipation of the forthcoming cold period. Then the peacock finds a safe place with relatively constant temperatures and shelter from the cold winds, such as a hole in a tree or inside a shed. Here the butterfly will fold its wings and sleep, its dull underside helping it to disappear in the darkness. This strategy means that the peacock is always one of the first butterflies we see in the spring. During March, if we get a warm period of weather, the first peacocks will leave their hiding place to go in search of their first meal of the year.
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