Inachis io (Linnaeus, 1758) - Peacock Butterfly.

Perhaps, the most beautiful butterfly in the temperate zone of Eurasia, which matches however tropical butterfly wonders. It develops on plain neetle and so is common in settlements (in Siberia - especially in the last decade when it sometimes overcome the tortoishell in quantity). Its wings bear striking eyes which may be regarded as an example of frightening colouration.

Range: the temperate Euroasia north to the middle taiga zone.

ssp.: io (Linnaeus, 1758); ?monotypical.wings open.

A meadow in the Izdrevaya Rivulet at its mouth at the station Uchebnyi, Novosibirsk District and Province, West Siberia, Russia. 28th May 2000. O. Kosterin.