Metamorphoses of the Peacock butterfly. The Peacock (Inachis io), a butterfly of the temperate regions of Europe and Asia. The adult lays eggs on a favourite food plant for the caterpillars (larvae), the stinging nettle. After a series of moults as they grow, the caterpillars pupate into the chrysalis stage. The final stage is the Imago, the adult perfect insect which hatches from the Chrysalis. 1888. Chromolithograph.