Transparent-wings
Guides
Cixius nervosus
common lacehopper
A widespread planthopper species in the tribe Cixiini, occurring across Europe, the East Palearctic, and Nearctic realms. Adults are active from May to October and inhabit deciduous trees, hedgerows, meadows, and scrublands. Sexual dimorphism is present in body size, with females larger than males.
CixiidaeplanthopperwidespreadEuropeNearcticPalearcticdeciduous-forestmeadowscrublandsexual-dimorphismtransparent-wingsbanded-wingsMay-to-Octobercommon-speciesLinnaeus-1758CixiinilacehopperHemipteraAuchenorrhynchaFulgoromorphakeeled-scutellumcostal-spotssubspecies-presenttaxonomic-revision-historyiNaturalist:1386-observationsGreta
Glasswing Butterflies
Greta is a genus of clearwing butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, established by Arthur Francis Hemming in 1934. These butterflies are characterized by their transparent or partially transparent wings, a trait shared with other members of the ithomiine group. The genus occurs in the Neotropical region, with species distributed across Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. Notable species include Greta oto, commonly known as the glasswing butterfly, and Greta morgane, the thick-tipped greta.
Greta morgane
thick-tipped greta
Greta morgane, commonly known as the thick-tipped greta, is a day-active clearwing butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. Adults have reduced wing scaling that creates transparent areas on the wings, a characteristic feature of ithomiine butterflies. The species is widespread and common across its native range in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, with occasional strays recorded in southern Texas. It was first described by Geyer in 1833 under the basionym Hymenitis morgane.
Hemaris
clearwing moths, hummingbird moths, bee hawk-moths
Hemaris is a genus of diurnal sphinx moths in the family Sphingidae, native to the Holarctic region. Adults are small, bumblebee mimics with transparent wing patches created by shed scales, and are often mistaken for hummingbirds in flight. The genus includes 23 accepted species, with five native to North America and three to Europe. Larvae are hornworms that feed primarily on plants in the honeysuckle and teasel families.
Hemipenthes inops
Hemipenthes inops is a species of bee fly in the family Bombyliidae, found in the western United States. It is distinguished from other members of its genus by its mostly transparent wings, whereas congeners typically have patterned or darkened wings. The species belongs to a genus whose larvae are known to be hyper-parasitoids, developing as parasites of other parasitic insects.
Penstemonia hennei
Penstemonia hennei is a species of clearwing moth in the family Sesiidae, described by Engelhardt in 1946. Members of the genus Penstemonia are known as wasp-mimicking moths with reduced wing scaling that creates a transparent appearance. The species is known from limited records in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions.
Sesiidae
Clearwing Moths
Sesiidae, known as clearwing moths, is a family of diurnal moths in the order Lepidoptera comprising 165 genera and over 1,500 species. The family is distinguished by Batesian mimicry of Hymenoptera, with transparent wing areas created by reduced scaling, elongated bodies, and wasp-like coloration and flight behavior. Most species are tropical, though significant diversity occurs in the Holarctic region including over 100 European species. Larvae are concealed borers in wood, stems, or roots, with some species causing serious economic damage to fruit trees, timber, and crops.
Tinthiinae
clearwing moths
Tinthiinae is a subfamily of clearwing moths (family Sesiidae) established by Ferdinand Le Cerf in 1917. The subfamily comprises 24 genera organized into four tribes: Tinthiini, Pennisetiini, Paraglosseciini, and Similipepsini. Members are characterized by reduced wing scaling that creates transparent, wasp- or hornet-like appearance—a form of Batesian mimicry. The group has been documented in approximately 2,400 observations on iNaturalist, indicating moderate but growing recognition among naturalists.