Dominican Clearwing Butterfly vs Mother of Pearl Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Dominican Clearwing Butterfly Mother of Pearl Moth
Scientific Name Greta diaphanus Patania ruralis
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Nymphalidae Crambidae
Size 50-60 mm wingspan 30-40 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Hedgerows
Diet Nectar Feeders Herbivores
Regions Dominican Republic, Haiti Europe, temperate Asia, introduced to North America
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Dominican Clearwing Butterfly

A glasswing butterfly found in Hispaniola with nearly transparent wings. Its wings have tiny nanopillars that reduce light reflection.

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Did You Know?

Its transparent wings make it nearly invisible in flight against dappled forest light.

Mother of Pearl Moth

A large crambid moth with translucent pearlescent wings bearing subtle brown markings. It is one of the larger and more attractive European grass moths.

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Did You Know?

Its wings have an opalescent sheen that gives the moth its poetic common name.