Dominican Clearwing Butterfly vs Northern Snow Scorpionfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Dominican Clearwing Butterfly Northern Snow Scorpionfly
Scientific Name Greta diaphanus Boreus westwoodi
Order Lepidoptera Mecoptera
Family Nymphalidae Boreidae
Size 50-60 mm wingspan 3-4 mm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Nectar Feeders Omnivores
Regions Dominican Republic, Haiti Northern Europe, Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia
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.

Northern Snow Scorpionfly

A small, dark, flightless scorpionfly that appears on snow in late autumn and early winter. It is glossy black-brown with elongated mouthparts for feeding on mosses. Females have a prominent pointed ovipositor.

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Did You Know?

Despite being wingless, this insect can jump short distances using its powerful hind legs to move quickly across snow.