The white peacock is among the Nymphalidae family. Its host plants include the wild petunia, southern frogfruit, herb-of-grace, Carolina false vervain and Turkey-tangle frogfruit. This butterfly gains its name from the small black spots on the hindwings, resembling a peacock’s eyespot.

Again, this beauty was admired during our visit to The Butterfly Estates, which is located in the Downtown Fort Myers River District. Their 3,600 square foot glass butterfly conservatory is a butterfly lover’s dream and amazing place to gain inspiration, or just sit in the tranquil space while watching numerous species flutter around. We were so excited this white peacock decided to hang out right by the bridge letting us take numerous photographs.

This butterfly has been spotted once in our garden. Now I need to add some of its host plants, so it becomes a frequent visitor because its beauty is incredible.

I have read that they are smaller, as well as darker during the “wet” summer months, and become paler during the drier winter months.

These butterflies are known to fly close to the ground, and lay a single green egg on its host plant, or nearby on the ground, which might make it very difficult to spot. The egg will hatch three to 10 days later and the chrysalis, green, will stay in the final stage for up to 14 days. I find it interesting that this butterfly can live up to four months.