Peacock-eye butterfly - description, habitat, species

Peacock-eye refers to a family of butterflies, numbering about two thousand species. Insects got their name due to the presence of similarities with peacock feathers. On the wings there are spots of various shades, which according to external data coincide with the pattern on the tail of this bird. We will learn everything about peacock eyes. Where do they live, what distinguishes them from other insects, etc.

Description

1. It is worth immediately starting with the fact that insects should not be confused with almost similar names - peacock-eye and peacock eye. Lepidoptera differ from each other, they also belong to different categories.
2. Earlier it was mentioned that there are a lot of peacock eyes. Therefore, the final dimensional features depend on what kind of speech in question. Lepidoptera can be excessively small or, conversely, overgrown, reaching a wingspan of 27 cm.
3. Considering the average values ​​applicable to all members of the family, it is worth saying that many have a span of about 13 cm. According to the distinctive characteristics of these butterflies, they can be confused with bloodworms. They are covered with villi that look like copious fluff. The wings are plain in format.
4. By pigmentation, these insects try not to stand out. They are masked, so they can not boast of a variety of colors and overflows. Since these creatures prefer to stay awake at night, nature could not allow them to be very visible in the dark. But there are varieties with some patterns and shades.

View Features

1. The grown butterflies do not eat at all. But they are quite voracious when they are still caterpillars. They cover absolutely everything, be it larch of pear, walnut, alder, elm, rosehip, cherry, plum or mountain ash. They need to gain strength and develop, so they are unpretentious in food.
2. This is not to say that the discussed species of Lepidoptera is too prolific. Once a year, insects give only one offspring. The preparation for mating is quite interesting; 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 the natural habitat, it makes sense to say that the presented insects are often prey for birds. When the butterfly has not yet become one, then everyone (sundry) preys on it (the caterpillar). Including cats.
4. The discussed species of Lepidoptera does not harm crops, therefore, a person is not against the appearance of beautiful creatures in the vastness of his plantings. Silk thread obtained from peacock eyes is often used for the production of materials.

Spread

1. This variety of insects is represented in various parts of the globe. The exception is, perhaps, Antarctica, where butterflies simply will not survive. Most often, large numbers of individuals are found in eastern Asia, as well as in the United States and European countries.
2. Individuals prefer to settle in larch trees, whose trees boast the density of their covers. Also there are representatives of the species in the mixed strip. They love meadows, but only those that are near trees.
3. Not without reason butterflies prefer to stay near the trees. Female representatives spend most of their existence in crowns, trying to leave the warmed-up place only when necessary.

Peacock-eye Atlas

1. The habitat of this type of insect falls on the southern part of China, Southeast Asia, Borneo, Thailand and Indonesia. The considered individuals prefer living 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 in comparison with the wings. By the way, females are larger than males.
3. Representatives of the stronger sex have distinctive characteristic antennae, covered with fluff. If you look closely at the brownish-yellowish wings, then you can see patterns in the form of whitish triangles on them. There are also black and red stripes.
4. An interesting fact is that in Hong Kong the species in question is the second name - the 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 the insect with a dangerous reptile. In addition, peacock eyes leave empty cocoons behind them. Taiwanese people came up with a use for them. People simply use them instead of wallets.

Lifestyle

1. The life of the large insects in question can be divided into four main stages. This is an egg, a caterpillar, a chrysalis and an imago. In the latter case, individuals no longer feed. The problem is that in this condition, the mouth of a peacock-eye will atrophy.
2. Therefore, adults exist due to stocks that they managed to accumulate at the moment when they were larvae. In addition, poachers collectors are especially dangerous for such insects. Separately, it is worth mentioning about the lifestyle of butterflies.
3. Females have gonads at the end of the abdomen. They secrete pheromones that attract males. Next, mating occurs, after which the female lays eggs with a diameter of up to 3 mm. Butterflies attach them to the inner part of the leaves of plants.
4. After half a month, young animals appear in the form of caterpillars. In the first days of their lives, the basis of their diet is plant-based foods. As soon as the larva grows to 11 cm in length, the pupation stage occurs. The cocoon is really huge. Its weight reaches 13 gr.

Interesting Facts

1. In India, large peacock eyes are deliberately bred. Local residents are particularly interested in them because the caterpillars of this species secrete threads. Therefore, they are compared with a silkworm.
2. However, such filaments differ in appearance and chemical composition. They are painted in a dark brown shade, and to the touch resemble wool. Such material is called not silk, but phagar. As peacock-eye threads, they lose somewhat to silkworms.
3. There are many types of peacock eyes. For example, a pear can scare away birds. Such an insect leads a nocturnal lifestyle. As soon as the enemy approaches, the butterfly opens its wings as much as possible. Due to the color in the form of fierce eyes, the bird is 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 varieties included in this family; it is simply impossible to consider all. A distinctive characteristic of the insects discussed is that they like to be in the crown of trees. Males sense females by smell from a distance of 10 km. and more.

Video: butterfly peacock-eye (Saturniidae)