European peacock vs Comma butterfly

These two are easy to mix up. Here's how to tell an European peacock from a comma butterfly, and whether either one bites or stings.

≠The key differences

Comma has angular wings and a pale 'comma' mark on the underside; lacks the large round eyespots of the peacock.

	European peacock	Comma butterfly
To humans	Non-toxic	Non-toxic
Size	Wingspan 50-70 mm	45-60 mm wingspan
Colours	Red-orange, Black, Yellow, Blue (eyespots), Brown (underside)	Orange, Dark brown, Pale brown (underside dead-leaf), White (C-mark)
Family	Nymphalidae	Nymphalidae
Habitat	Open habitats with nettles and nectar sources: gardens, meadows, hedgerows, woodland edges and roadside vegetation.	Woodland edges, hedgerows, scrub, gardens, parks and other semi-open habitats with host plants and sunny perches.
Range	Native to Europe and temperate Asia, from the British Isles across continental Europe into parts of Russia, and eastwards into temperate Asia.	Widespread across Europe and North Africa, east through temperate Asia to Japan; distribution and abundance vary with climate and local habitat.
Active	Spring to autumn for flight activity; adults are diurnal and most active on sunny days. Overwinters as adult (hibernation) in sheltered sites.	Mainly spring to autumn; adults fly on sunny days and hibernate over winter as adults.
Pest?	No	No

Large, red-orange wings with four prominent blue-centered eye spots (one on each wing).
Dark scalloped wing margins and a cryptic mottled underside when wings are closed.
Wingspan about 50-70 mm; slow, direct flight and frequent sun-basking.

Look for the small white C-shaped mark on the underside of the hindwing - the key field mark.
Deeply scalloped, ragged wing margins giving an 'anglewing' outline.
Upperwings orange-brown with darker mottling; underside cryptic brown resembling a dead leaf.
When at rest with wings closed, silhouette and leaf-like underside help separate it from more rounded butterflies.

Comma has angular wings and a pale 'comma' mark on the underside; lacks the large round eyespots of the peacock.

European peacock: Non-toxic. Comma butterfly: Non-toxic. Does not bite or sting. Harmless to people.

Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.