www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Yesterday a Peacock was fluttering around in my garden shed. I caught it in my hands and took it outside. When I opened my hands rather than immediately flying off it crawled onto my finger and I felt it shivering. I couldn't see any movement of its wings but nonetheless could feel it trembling. It then flew away. Thinking about it afterwards I began to doubt myself! Has anyone-else come across this?

Hoggers

Just warming up, I think ...

Tony M.

Yes, just warming up it's flight muscles.

Agreed. You more often see this with moths, but I have regularly seen butterflies doing it too, most notably Shepherd's Fritillaries at 2,200m in the Alps when the air temperature's barely 12c!!

It certainly was cold enough to make a butterfly shiver! Doesn't say much for the beginning of May!
Thanks for the replies,

Hoggers

For those old enough to remember, Shivering Peacocks! sounds like something Captain Pugwash would have said. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Pugwash#Pugwashisms