As delicate as finely blown glass, the presence of this rare tropical gem is used by rainforest ecologists as an indication of high habitat quality and its demise alerts them of ecological change. Rivaling the refined beauty of a stained glass window, the translucent wings of the glasswing butterfly shimmer in the sunlight like polished panes of turquoise, orange, green, and red.

Native to Columbia, Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador, the glasswing butterfly is usually observed feeding or flying high in the subcanopy of the tropical forest in the Andes Mountains. Members of the species, scientifically classified as Godyris duillia, frequently inhabit elevations of approximately 1,400 meters. Most of the butterflies are large and feature colorful transparent wing panels, but some specimens are a beautiful smoky brown.

Well adapted to the Andean climate and elevation, glasswing butterflies seem incessant in their zigzagging pursuit of flower nectar. Members of the species do not like to rush their meals and may spend hours on a single flower bloom while nectaring. A particular favorite of adult glasswing butterflies is the flowering jungle cucumber vine. Glasswing caterpillars, however, are not such dainty eaters. The larvae rapaciously munch on the leaves of plants, including the deadly nightshades, oleanders, and dogbane. From the poisonous food plants, the glasswing larvae gather toxic alkaloids, which make them unpalatable to predators.

As human populations grow, butterfly populations tend to shrink. Thus, the future of the exotic glasswing butterfly is uncertain. As part of the growing international trade of butterflies, specimens are often taken from the wild, but may also be cultivated for sale on butterfly ranches. Intensive farming with agrochemicals and increased ranching in the Andes greatly threaten the glasswing species and its associates. Other activities that make room for man, such as extensive logging and coal mining, also devastate the crucial habitat of the glasswings.

Wing Vein - A translucent area of a glasswing butterfly wing surrounds a prominent vein in this brightfield image. Numerous, tiny spines extend from the wing's surface.

Transparent Wing Panel - The transparent wing panels of a glasswing butterfly have an unusual, thorn-like surface. This high magnification image beautifully displays the shiny surface extensions.

Wing Scale Pattern (High Magnification) - Orange and black wing scales bordered by the spiky extensions of a glasswing's transparent panel are displayed in this photomicrograph. Reflected light shimmers from their surfaces.

Wing Scale Pattern (Medium Magnification) - This image is a decreased magnification of the previous photomicrograph. The view of the transparent wing panel appears moss colored, rather than clear.

Wing Scale Pattern (Low Magnification) - A low magnification image of the previous photomicrograph is displayed here. The characteristic glass-like appearance of the glasswing butterfly's scales is beautifully captured.

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