Almost Invisible: The Incredible Glasswing Butterfly

Posted by Queuebot in Animal, Pictures on March 1, 2009 at 2:23 am


Transparency in animals is something that is still not entirely understood by science.  The beautiful Glasswing butterfly possesses this feature in abundance – a great percentage of its wingspan is almost completely transparent.

It is thought that the wings have large amounts submicroscopic protrusions that have the same refractive index which means that they do not scatter light, so giving the impression of transparency.  Whatever the reason, this is a startling and little  known creature.

A butterfly with transparent wings? Surely not. Yet there is a species that exhibits this trait. Take a close look at the incredible Glasswing, an enchanting species that confounds science. Greta oto may sound like the name of a silent movie star from Eastern Europe but is in fact the scientific name for one of the most exquisite – and little known – species of butterfly on the planer. This butterfly’s claim to fame is that its wings, spanning up to six centimeters, are almost completely transparent. That’s right, you can see just about right through them.

Link – via webphemera

From the Upcoming ueue, submitted by taliesyn30.


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11 comments to "Almost Invisible: The Incredible Glasswing Butterfly"

  1. Alex
    March 1st, 2009 at 2:23 am

    We did this a loooong time ago, so I don't think calling dupe is fair: http://www.neatorama.com/2006/05/16/glasswing-butterfly/

    This butterfly is pretty neat!

  2. JohnBrown
    March 1st, 2009 at 3:47 am

    It's a very beautiful insect, but I'm wondering whether the transparency within its wings is any different than the wings of most flying insects? Bees, flies, mosquitos and dragonflies have transparent wings too.

  3. glassmusic
    March 1st, 2009 at 4:32 am

    whats a planer and why is there a butterfly on it?

  4. blaze
    March 1st, 2009 at 5:09 am

    bee's, dragonflies, etc you all see the veins and other parts threw them, there is no obstruction with these wings. A quick GIS will show ya :)

  5. zeytoun
    March 1st, 2009 at 12:15 pm

    Also, butterfly wings are different. They are covered in soft scales, hence the latin name, lepidoptera (scale wings), as opposed to the membrane wings of bees and flies.

  6. I C Through
    March 1st, 2009 at 2:01 pm

    That's Through. Totally Through, I tell ya!

  7. FarmerPhoebe
    March 1st, 2009 at 3:32 pm

    I love links like these. Thanks for posting the great photo! Can I mention one little pet peeve about people who post bug/animal info. on their blogs/websites?

    You often don't mention where these amazing and sometimes exotic creatures can be found! Then I gotta do my own research in order to satisfy my curiousity - or, in some cases to assure myself that certain bugs/animals are not going to pop up in MY backyard! LOL

    In other words, where is the glasswing butterfly's natural habitat?

    Thanks!

  8. Jim R Feliciano
    March 1st, 2009 at 5:07 pm

    First the transparent fish head. Now the transparent butterfly wings. What next?

  9. linty
    March 2nd, 2009 at 7:48 am

    beatiful!

  10. Johnny Cat
    March 8th, 2009 at 1:24 pm

    Yeah, a repeat, but so what? Very neat.

  11. Johnny Cat
    March 8th, 2009 at 1:28 pm

    @FarmerPhoebe: RTFA...and have a nice day!


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