The peacock butterfly has been voted Britain's favourite butterfly for the first time, according to a poll by Butterfly Conservation. The charity received over 20,000 votes for 60 native species, with the peacock topping the list. Its distinctive lavender, yellow and maroon eye spots, along with rusty red and black wings, made it a standout choice.
The top five also included the orange-tip in second place, the red admiral in third, followed by the holly blue and the brimstone. All five are common in gardens, parks and suburbs across the UK. Rarer species fared less well: the swallowtail, Britain's largest butterfly, came ninth, while the purple emperor finished 15th.
Kate Merry, head of engagement at Butterfly Conservation, said: 'The peacock is a worthy winner, it's a true showstopper. It's been really special seeing people get so passionate about their favourites.' The peacock is expected to be the most-seen insect in this year's Big Butterfly Count, which starts on 17 July, due to large numbers of caterpillars on nettles.
