California, Jun 24: Glasswing butterflies (Greta Oto) are among the hundreds of butterfly species with transparent wings. They are found in Central and South America. They are very difficult to spot because their wings are not only see-through, but also that they do not reflect sunlight. The wings of a butterfly possess a thin membranous layer of a natural polymer called chitin which is covered by tiny scales resembling the interlocking tiles. But when scientists analysed the glass wings under the microscope, they found to their astonishment that the black rims were fully packed with scales and in the transparent region the scales were converted into bristles and spaced farther apart, so that light may pass through them more easily.
They also found tiny mounts (called nanopillars) between the bristles. The mounts were coated with a layer of wax which helps to reduce the glare and acts as anti-reflector. So, they are called the ghosts in the rainforest. This nearly invisible structure helps them to evade their predators.
