Reiman's Pick
For the week of June 7, 2010
Greta oto: Glasswing or Clearwing Butterfly
Renee Zbynski
Entomology Intern
Reiman Gardens, Iowa State University
It's a common myth that touching the wings of a butterfly will eliminate its ability to fly. While it's true these scales are loosely attached and can come off easily if touched, this doesn't impact the butterfly's flight. Instead, if a butterfly relies on warning colors or camouflage to avoid predators, losing their scales make it more vulnerable. Warning colors, such as those of the monarch, caution predators of a potentially poisonous butterfly. Camouflage is another protective coloring technique; making butterflies a difficult prey to find and is an important survival technique.
However, just as scales are not required for flight, they are not necessarily required for camouflage. A unique butterfly, Greta oto (commonly called Glasswing or Clearwing) has a different way of blending into its habitat. The majority of its wings are transparent, giving it the ability to fade into the background of virtually any environment. It is one of the few animals to successfully master the art of transparency. Despite the appearance of these delicate wings, they are surprisingly resilient. Glasswings participate in migratory flight and can travel more than 12 miles a day.
Beyond the exceptional camouflage of adult Glasswings the pupae, or chrysalides, also have unique properties. The Pupae are extremely reflective, and if you look closely, you can see your mirror image. While this may not sound like effective camouflage, it is almost as advantageous as being invisible! The mirror-like chrysalides will reflect the surrounding location, instantly disguising it as part of its environment.
Caterpillars have strict nutrition requirements, and require certain plants in order to survive, commonly known as the butterflies "host" plant. Butterflies and moths usually lay their eggs on or near the host plants. Glasswing caterpillars eat several plants from the Nightshade (Solanaceae) family. These plants are highly poisonous to most animals, providing another layer of protection for the Glasswing caterpillars.
Although not a rare species, Glasswings are not native to the United States. They inhabit Central America from Mexico to Panama. The Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing is home to about 800 butterflies, most of them tropical species. The Wing is kept at a constant 80 degrees Fahrenheit and 80% humidity year round to provide the ideal habitat for our foreign friends.
Be sure to stop by the Butterfly Wing at Reiman Gardens to see all the tropical butterflies, and try your best to find and recognize the elusive Glasswing Butterfly.
Clear here to see a video about Glasswings. |
