Real life Goassamer Wings...

May 7, 2006 7:50 AM

A Butterfly with transparent wings you say?
Indeed.
posted by Mutant (22 comments total)

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.

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

Not well-known to me. Awesome.
posted by Wolfdog at 7:55 AM on May 7, 2006

I can now safely say that I've seen everything.
posted by Flashman at 7:56 AM on May 7, 2006

Neat! Thanks.
posted by interrobang at 7:57 AM on May 7, 2006

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

Fantastic.
posted by Isabeau Sahen at 8:12 AM on May 7, 2006

There are many species of clearwing moths as well. Some are actually quite common in the US.
posted by amelliferae at 8:26 AM on May 7, 2006

Keen.
posted by JanetLand at 8:29 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

Gorgeous—thanks.
posted by languagehat at 10:47 AM on May 7, 2006

Lovely!
posted by scarabic at 10:53 AM on May 7, 2006

More compelling evidence that bugs are are cooler than us in every way.

Bastards!
posted by moneyjane at 1:33 PM 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

So beautiful! Thanks.
posted by inconsequentialist at 8:24 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

So, this butterfly... it vibrates?

Yes.
posted by moneyjane at 12:05 AM on May 8, 2006

is it kosher?

No.

Aww, shuks, can't eat them then.
posted by Izzmeister at 11:48 AM on May 8, 2006