Glasswing Butterfly

About the Glasswing Butterfly

Their wings are transparent - the tissue between veins lacks the colored scales found on other butterflies. This makes them nearly invisible in flight. The transparency is caused by nanostructures that minimize light reflection. Despite their delicate appearance, they are strong flyers capable of migrating long distances. They accumulate toxic alkaloids from their larval host plants, making them unpalatable to predators. Males convert these alkaloids into pheromones. They are found from Mexico to Panama.