The Glass Wing Butterfly, Greta oto is one of the strangest - and most beautiful - insects I've ever seen. When I first came across these photos, I was convinced this was little more than further evidence of pollution induced mutation run amok but I was wrong.
That is completely gorgeous. posted by SteelyDuran at 8:06 AM on May 7, 2006
What an inventive way to camoflage itself-- reminds me of the glass shrimp that were so fascinating to me as a kid. posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 8:09 AM on May 7, 2006
Wow, that's awesome - thanks. I just GISed for some bigger images, hope you don't mind me linking them here. posted by teleskiving at 9:16 AM on May 7, 2006
Very pretty! posted by onalark at 9:17 AM on May 7, 2006
Thanks for the links teleskiving! They are stunning creatures and the more pix the better. I would love to see one in person sometime absolutely awesome. posted by Mutant at 9:22 AM on May 7, 2006
Wow, such a beautiful little creature...and I had no idea it even existed. Thanks. posted by kosher_jenny at 1:47 PM on May 7, 2006
Wonder if Cole Porter knew the glasswings when he wrote about a trip to the moon on gossamer wings, just one of those things. posted by Cranberry at 4:02 PM on May 7, 2006
So, this butterfly... it vibrates? posted by Parannoyed at 7:02 PM on May 7, 2006
These images, and indeed, the mere existence of these creatures invariably invoke that great lepidopterist VN*:
There was no shadow of the clearwing slain
Lycan-like, dashed against the windowpane;
Just a touch of plasticene stuff—and I
blinked, gazing rapt: the nymphette from the sky.
*I'm not worthy, but thanks for the post, Mutant! posted by rob511 at 11:32 PM on May 7, 2006
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Originally discovered by William Chapman Hewitson in 1854, the Glass Wing Butterfly is apparently well known amongst lepidopterists.
posted by Mutant at 7:51 AM on May 7, 2006