# Glasswing Butterfly (*Greta oto*)

The Glasswing Butterfly has transparent wings that look like glass! This helps them stay safe from birds.

- **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect)
- **Rarity:** Rare
- **Danger:** 2/5 · Low
- **Habitat:** Tropical forests
- **Also known as:** Glasswing

![Glasswing Butterfly](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425708/objects/5593.jpg)

## Appearance

The Glasswing Butterfly has stunning, almost completely transparent wings that reveal the world behind them. Its wing edges are outlined in dark brown, sometimes with splashes of orange or red near the tips. This unique transparency makes it incredibly difficult to spot in nature, offering superb camouflage.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Insecta
- **Order:** Lepidoptera
- **Family:** Nymphalidae
- **Genus:** Greta

## Interesting facts

- Males have special hairs to release scents for attracting mates.
- Their wings are see-through because they lack most colored scales!
- These butterflies are important pollinators in tropical forests.
- They sometimes drink tears from turtles or caimans for salt!

## Special abilities

- **Invisible Flight:** Glasswing Butterflies have clear wings because they lack most scales, allowing them to disappear against backgrounds and hide from predators.
- **Toxin Shield:** Glasswing Butterflies can absorb toxins from plants, making them taste bad to predators and providing a chemical defense.
- **Nectar Drinker:** Glasswing Butterflies have a long, tube-like proboscis that helps them reach sweet nectar deep inside flowers.

## Measurements & details

- **Wingspan:** 55-60 mm
- **Size:** 28-30 mm
- **Lifespan:** 30-45 days
- **Leg Count:** 6

## Diet & Feeding

It sips sweet nectar from flowers and gathers special nutrients from toxic plants for protection.

- **Age differences:** Larvae primarily eat Cestrum plant leaves, while adults feed on nectar and other plant liquids.
- **Primary Foods:** Flower Nectar, Overripe Fruit, Tree Sap, Cestrum Leaves (larvae)
- **Foraging Method:** Foraging

## Ecological connections

- **Depends on:** [Night-blooming Jasmine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/night-blooming-jasmine) (*Cestrum nocturnum*) — Larvae munch on its leaves to grow big and get toxins.
- **Pollinates:** [Lantana](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lantana) (*Lantana camara*) — Drinks its nectar and helps these flowers make seeds.
- **Eaten by:** Clay-colored Thrush (*Turdus grayi*) — Gets snatched by these birds if they aren't careful.

## Traits

- [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
- [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
- [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
- [Rainforest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rainforest): This habitat trait refers to species found in tropical rainforests, characterized by high annual rainfall, high biodiversity, and dense tree cover.
- [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
- [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
- [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

## Collections

- [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects)
- [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs)

## Safety

**Danger:** 2/5 · Low

Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Glasswing Butterfly?

Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### What is Glasswing Butterfly's wingspan?

55-60 mm

### How big is Glasswing Butterfly?

28-30 mm

### How long does Glasswing Butterfly live?

30-45 days

### What does Glasswing Butterfly eat?

It sips sweet nectar from flowers and gathers special nutrients from toxic plants for protection.

### Where is Glasswing Butterfly usually found?

Tropical forests

### How does Glasswing Butterfly hunt?

Foraging

### How many legs does Glasswing Butterfly have?

6

## Where to spot

- [Palmengarten Frankfurt](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/palmengarten-frankfurt) — Hessen, DE · Park

## More Insects

- [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*)
- [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*)
- [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*)
- [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*)

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Source: [Glasswing Butterfly: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/glasswing-butterfly)