Life is hard

by Leif Sohlman

Canvas Print

$47

Framed Print

$73

Art Print

$23

Poster

$23

Metal Print

$71

Acrylic Print

$79

Wood Print

$51

Throw Pillow

$27

Tote Bag

$24

Greeting Card

$5.00

iPhone Case

$32

Coffee Mug

$14

Title

Life is hard

Artist

Leif Sohlman

Medium

Photograph - Photo Photography

Description

peacock butterfly on dandelion in Enk�ping,Sweden May 2014
Canon 5D mk III
The European Peacock (Inachis io), more commonly known simply as the Peacock butterfly, is a colourful butterfly, found in Europe and temperate Asia as far east as Japan. Classified as the only member of the genus Inachis (the name is derived from Greek mythology, meaning Io, the daughter of Inachus). It should not be confused or classified with the "American peacocks" in the genus Anartia; these are not close relatives of the Eurasian species. The Peacock butterfly is resident in much of its range, often wintering in buildings or trees. It therefore often appears quite early in spring. The Peacock butterfly has figured in research where the role of eye-spots as an anti-predator mechanism has been investigated.[1]

In the British Isles, the butterfly is found in England, Scotland (including Orkney and Shetland), Wales, and Ireland. The Peacock is expanding its range[2][3] and is not known to be threatened
Research has shown that avian predators attempting to attack a butterfly hesitate for a much longer time if they encounter butterflies that display their eyespots than if they encounter butterflies whose eyespots are covered. In addition, the predators delay their return to the butterfly if it displays eyespots[12][13] and some predators even flee before attacking the butterfly.[13] By intimidating the predator so that it delays or gives up its attack, the Peacock butterfly has a much greater chance of escaping predation.

According to the eye mimicry hypothesis, the eyespots serve an anti-predatory purpose by imitating the eyes of the avian predators' natural enemies.[12] In contrast, the conspicuousness hypothesis posits that rather than recognition of the eyespots as belonging to an enemy, the conspicuous nature of the eyespots, which are typically large and bright, causes a response in the visual system of the predator that leads to avoidance of the butterfly.[14]

In one experiment, observed responses of the avian predators to the eyespots included increased vigilance, a delay in their return to the Peacock butterfly, and the production of alarm calls associated with ground-based predators.[12] These responses to the eyespot stimuli lend support to the eye mimicry hypothesis as they indicated that the avian predator sensed that the eyespots belonged to a potential enemy. When faced with avian predators like the blue tit, the Peacock butterfly makes a hissing noise as well as threateningly displaying its eyespots. However, it is the eyespots that protect the butterfly the most; Peacock butterflies that have had their sound production capability removed still defend themselves extremely well against avian predators if their eyespots are present

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