IUCN RED LIST
Established in 1964, The IUCN Red List is a critical indicator of the health of the world’s biodiversity. Species are classified by the IUCN Red List into nine groups, through criteria such as rate of decline, population size and area of geographic distribution as:
- Extinct (EX) – This species is no longer extant
- Extinct in the wild (EW) – Survives only in captivity, or through cultivation often outside native range
- Critically endangered (CR) – In an extremely critical state
- Endangered (EN) – Very high risk of extinction in the wild
- Vulnerable (VU) – At high risk of unnatural (human-caused) extinction
- Near Threatened (NT) – Close to being endangered in the near future
- Least Concern (LC) – Widespread and abundant in the wild
- Data Deficient (DD) – Inadequate information to assess extinction risk
- Not Evaluated (NE) – Has not yet been assessed
The wings are bright orange to yellowish-brown with striking eye-like markings (ocelli). The large eyespots on the hindwings resemble the eyes of a peacock, giving the butterfly its common name. Seasonal forms occur, with the wet-season form displaying brighter colors and larger eyespots than the dry-season form.
The Peacock Pansy is an active, sun-loving butterfly commonly seen basking with its wings fully open. It is territorial and frequently returns to favored perches. The species flies close to the ground with a rapid but graceful flight and is particularly abundant during and after the monsoon season.
The Peacock Pansy is primarily a resident species and does not undertake long-distance migrations. However, local seasonal movements may occur in response to rainfall, vegetation growth, and food availability.
Females lay eggs singly on host plants, primarily species of Ruellia, Hygrophila, and other members of the family Acanthaceae. Breeding occurs throughout the year in tropical regions, with peak activity during the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons.
The prominent eyespots on the wings function as an anti-predator defense by startling or confusing birds and other predators. Seasonal dimorphism allows the butterfly to adapt to changing environmental conditions, improving camouflage and survival during different times of the year.
Adults feed on nectar from a wide variety of flowering plants. They also obtain nutrients from rotting fruits, sap, and moist soil. Caterpillars feed on leaves of host plants belonging mainly to the family Acanthaceae
The Peacock Pansy inhabits open grasslands, scrublands, agricultural fields, forest clearings, wetlands, roadsides, gardens, and urban green spaces.
