Peacock Butterfly - description, habitat, species

Under peacock eyes means the family of butterflies, numbering about two thousand species. Insects received their name due to the presence of similarities with peacock feathers. On the wings there are spots of different shades, which according to external data coincide with the pattern on the tail of this bird. We will learn everything about peacock eyes. Where they live, what stand out from the rest of insects, etc.

Description

1. It should immediately begin with the fact that you should not confuse insects with almost similar names - peacock eye and peacock eye. Lepidoptera differ among themselves, they also fall into different categories.
2. Earlier it was mentioned that there are a lot of peacock eyes. Therefore, the final dimensional features depend on the type in question. Lepidoptera may be excessively small or, on the contrary, overgrown, reaching 27 cm in wingspan.
3. Considering the averaged values ​​applicable to all members of the family, it should be said that the range of many is about 13 cm. According to the distinctive characteristics of these butterflies can be confused with the bloodworms. They are covered with villi that look like abundant fluff. Wings in plain format.
4. By pigmentation, these insects try not to stand out. They are masked, so they can not boast a variety of colors and modulations. Since these creatures prefer to stay awake at night, nature could not allow them to be strongly visible in the dark. But there are varieties with some patterns and shades.

Features of the form

1. Butterflies do not eat at all. But they are quite voracious when they are still caterpillars. They impose absolutely everything, be it a larch of pear, walnut, alder, elm, wild rose, cherry, plum or mountain ash. They need to gain strength and develop, so the food unpretentious.
2. This is not to say that the species of Lepidoptera under discussion is too prolific. Once a year, insects give only one offspring.Preparation for mating is quite interesting, individual males are looking for females by smell. They are able to feel their soul mate at a distance of 10 km. and more.
3. Studying enemies in a natural habitat, it makes sense to say that the presented insects are often prey of birds. When the butterfly has not yet become one, then everyone (the caterpillar) is hunted by all and sundry. Including cats.
4. The discussed variety of Lepidoptera does not harm agricultural crops, therefore a person is not against the appearance of beautiful creatures in the open spaces of his landings. Silk thread obtained from peacock eyes is often used for the production of materials.

Spread

1. This type of insect is represented in various parts of the world. The exception is, perhaps, Antarctica, where butterflies simply will not survive. Most often, populations of individuals are found in large numbers in eastern Asia, as well as in the United States of America and European countries.
2. Individuals prefer to settle in the larches, whose trees can boast a density of their covers. Also there are representatives of the species in the mixed lane.They love the meadows, but only those near the trees.
3. For good reason butterflies prefer to keep close to the trees. Most of their existence, female representatives spend in the crowns, trying to leave the warmed place only when necessary.

Peacock-eye Atlas

1. The habitat of this insect species falls on the southern part of China, Southeast Asia, Borneo, Thailand and Indonesia. The considered individuals prefer habitat in subtropical and tropical forests.
2. Separately, it is worth mentioning that such butterflies are considered the largest species on earth. Its wingspan reaches 27 cm. At the same time, their surface area is 400 cm2. As for the body, it is small compared to the wings. By the way, females are larger than males.
3. The representatives of the stronger sex have distinctive characteristic antennae, covered with down. If you look at the brown-yellowish wings, then they can see patterns in the form of whitish triangles. There are also black and red stripes.
4. An interesting fact is that in Hong Kong, the species in question is the second name - snake-headed butterfly. This is characterized by the fact that the upper wings have curved edges that are somewhat similar to a pair of snake heads.
5. Due to this color, predators confuse an insect with a dangerous reptile. In addition, peacock eyes leave behind empty cocoons. Residents of Taiwan came up with their application. People simply use them instead of wallets.

Lifestyle

1. The life of large-scale insects in question can be divided into four main stages. It is an egg, caterpillar, pupa and imago. In the latter case, the individuals no longer feed. The problem is that in such a state the mouth atrophies in the peacock eyes.
2. Therefore, the adults exist due to the stocks that they were able to accumulate at the time when they were larvae. In addition, for such insects, poachers collectors are particularly dangerous. Separately worth mentioning about the lifestyle of butterflies.
3. In females, gonads are located at the end of the abdomen. They secrete pheromones that attract males. Further mating occurs, after which the female lays eggs of up to 3 mm in diameter.Butterflies attach them to the inside of the leaves of plants.
4. After half a month, the young appear in the form of caterpillars. In the first days of their lives, the basis of their diet is food of plant origin. As soon as the larva grows up to 11 cm. In length, the pupation stage occurs. Cocoon turns really huge. Its weight reaches 13 grams.

Interesting Facts

1. In India, large peacock bred intentionally. Locals have a special interest in them because the caterpillars of this species secrete threads. Therefore, they are compared with the silkworm.
2. However, these threads are different in appearance and chemical composition. They are painted in a dark brown shade, and to the touch they resemble wool. Such material is called not silk, but fagar. As threads, peacock eyes lose a little to silkworms.
3. There are many types of peacock eyes. For example, pear is able to scare away birds. Such an insect is nocturnal. As soon as the enemy approaches, the butterfly opens its wings to the maximum. Due to the color in the form of fierce eyes, the bird gets frightened and flies away.Thus the insect is saved from death.

In today's article we have studied everything that affects the peacock eye. There are about 2 thousand species in this family, it’s simply impossible to consider them all. A distinctive feature of the insects discussed is that they like to be in the crown of trees. Males feel females by smell from a distance of 10 km. and more.

Video: peacock butterfly (Saturniidae)