Glasswing Butterfly Habitat

The Glasswing butterfly, or species name Greta oto, thrives only in Central America. Its distribution ranges from the country of Panama up into parts of Mexico. They are common butterflies but difficult to see because of their transparent wings, which provide camouflage against predators.

Wings

The wings have nearly invisible patches, thus lending to the butterfly's name: Glasswing. This effect allows the butterfly to blend in with its habitat and go unnoticed, particularly while feeding.

Tropical Rain Forest

Glasswing butterflies prefer to reside in tropical rain forest areas. They are able to thrive there because they have evolved their wings to hide from predators rather than warn them off.

Plants

Glasswing butterflies prefer to feed on aster flowers, which are only found in this geographical area. This is their main source of food because it provides the male with certain pheromones in order to attract a mate.

Eggs

Glasswing butterflies lay their eggs on a toxic group of plants in the Cestrum genus, or nightshade family, which provide the eggs and larvae with alkaloids that ward away predators, due to the bad taste.

Captivity

In captivity, such as butterfly exhibits, Glasswings are often used to represent an ideal environment for butterflies. If they begin dying out, caretakers know something is wrong with the habitat.

References

• Butterfly and Moth Gallery and Facts
• Glasswing Butterfly
• Almost Invisible: The Incredible Glasswing Butterfly

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Glasswing Butterfly