Hawaiian Picture-wing Fly (Heteroneura) vs Dominican Clearwing Butterfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Hawaiian Picture-wing Fly (Heteroneura) Dominican Clearwing Butterfly
Scientific Name Drosophila heteroneura Greta diaphanus
Order Diptera Lepidoptera
Family Drosophilidae Nymphalidae
Size 5-7 mm 50-60 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Wood Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Oceania (Hawaii - Big Island) Dominican Republic, Haiti
Conservation Endangered Not Evaluated

Hawaiian Picture-wing Fly (Heteroneura)

A remarkable Hawaiian picture-wing fly famous for its hammer-shaped head, found only on Hawaii Island. Males use their broad, flattened heads in head-butting contests for mating rights. It breeds in decaying Clermontia bark.

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Did You Know?

Males have uniquely hammer-shaped heads that they use as battering rams, headbutting rival males in combat over territory and mates.

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.