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.

  1. 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.