Glasswing Butterfly

butterfly · transparency · Central America · incredible strength

Totally see-through wings. The glasswing butterfly has transparent wings that let it hide without needing bright colors or patterns. Its wings are so clear that you can see right through them, which is why it's called a glasswing.

Super strong flier. Despite looking delicate, this butterfly can carry up to 40 times its own body weight. That's like a kid lifting a school bus.

Travels far and wide. Glasswing butterflies live across Central America and South America, and they sometimes travel all the way north to Texas or south to Chile. They make long migrations, traveling hundreds of miles to find food and mates.

Special mating dances. Male glasswing butterflies gather in groups called leks where they perform special flying displays to attract females. These gathering spots are like dance clubs in the forest.

Hard to spot. The transparent wings make the glasswing so hard to see that it can sneak right past predators. Scientists studied these wings to understand how they stay see-through and stay strong at the same time.