Which butterfly genus contains the peacock butterfly?

The peacock butterfly belongs to the genus Aglais.

The species is Aglais io, a European butterfly famous for the large eyespots on its reddish-brown wings. These markings can make the butterfly appear larger and may startle or deter predators when the wings are suddenly opened.

Aglais is a genus in the brush-footed butterfly family, Nymphalidae. Its range is centered in the Palearctic, and the peacock commonly hibernates as an adult in sheltered locations before emerging in spring.

Older sources sometimes place the peacock butterfly in the genus Inachis, which explains why both names may appear in books or databases. Modern classifications commonly use Aglais io, while Inachis io remains a historical synonym or alternative combination.