Glasswing Butterflies Want To Make Something Perfectly Clear | Deep Look

Ever wanted to be invisible? The elusive glasswing butterfly knows just how to do it. Its transparent wings, covered in an anti-glare nano-coating, help it hide from its predators in the rainforest.
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DEEP LOOK is a ultra-HD (4K) short video series created by KQED San Francisco and presented by PBS Digital Studios. See the unseen at the very edge of our visible world. Explore big scientific mysteries by going incredibly small.
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Bay Area biologists are studying a beautiful and exotic butterfly with the hope that their findings may one day improve technologies from eyeglasses to solar panels.
Named for their transparent wings, glasswing butterflies have evolved a clever disappearing act to avoid their many predators in the rainforests of South and Central America.
“Most things in the rainforest are either bright and flashy or they're trying their best to hide,” said Aaron Pomerantz, a doctoral candidate in the Nipam Patel Lab at UC Berkeley and the Marine Biological Laboratory. “There aren't a lot of things that are just trying to be invisible like the glasswings.”
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What are butterfly wings made of?
A butterfly’s wings are mainly composed of chitin, the same tough flexible material that their exoskeleton is made of. Most butterflies’ wings and bodies are covered in row after row of tiny scales that protect the butterfly and keep water from sticking to their wing which would weigh them down.
What do butterflies eat?
Most butterflies use a long proboscis to drink nectar from flowers. As caterpillars, they mostly eat plants
Why do butterflies have bright colors?
Some butterflies try to stand out by using bright colors and clashing patterns that serve as a warning to predators. These butterflies typically eat plants rich in chemicals as caterpillars that make them poisonous or distasteful. This type of warning signal is called aposematism.
---+ Read the entire article on KQED Science:
www.kqed.org/science/1964775/...
---+ For more information:
The Patel Lab of Evolutionary Development at the Marine Research Institute in Woods Hole, MA
www.patellab.net/
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• The Double-Crossing An...
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🏆Congratulations🏆 to the following fans on our Deep Look Community Tab for being the first five to correctly identify the microscopic waxy structures that stop the glare on glasswing butterfly's wings: nanopillars!
Srijan Srivastava
Roslina Tamold
Renee Hau
Shiny Gamer
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Funding for Deep Look is provided in part by PBS Digital Studios. Deep Look is a project of KQED Science, which is also supported by the National Science Foundation, the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, the Dirk and Charlene Kabcenell Foundation, the Vadasz Family Foundation, the Fuhs Family Foundation, Campaign 21 and the members of KQED.

[@KQEDDeepLook]

We dedicated this episode to Debbie Ford, the mother of butterfly researcher Aaron Pomerantz who we see in this episode. Aaron’s mother passed suddenly shortly before the episode was completed.

[@mergen9802]

she faded away together with her beloved butterflies. May she be at peace.

[@Orelaf84]

Sorry about your mom, Aaron! I miss my mama too. You’re going to miss her forever but remember you’ll have memories of her love forever too. Hugs hugs hugs ❤️

[@keiziisnobody.4641]

May she rest in peace and fly away with her precious dear butterflies.

[@motivational_mindset44]

The chrysalis is disgusting...

[@looegi4185]

@@motivational_mindset44 What an inappropriate comment to make under this! Could you not keep that to yourself?? Disgusting of you!

[@matttypes2695]

Glasswing: Check it out, Im invisible. Human: Um, I can still see you... Bird: Where did it go????

[@lin6083]

True, human can see it better

[@Zaihanisme]

Nah, try being out in the trees; you wouldn't be able to pick it out as easily as a bird.

[@Hyraladen]

@@Zaihanisme nah, I've been to rivers and easily spotted them. It was my first time ever seeing them in real life. But they aren't hard to spot since you'll see this small dark thing (the butterfly) flying around

[@missterious711]

Glasswings have mastered the art of standing so incredibly still, they become invisible to the eye

[@kitcatcreations6132]

Birds have good vision, maybe it's harder to see it from far away?

[@harithatheawesomeguy]

I was super impressed till i realized almost every other flying insect has transparent wings

[@Toastmaster_5000]

Good point, though, most don't have wings that are this large

[@johnlemon4647]

But most of their wings are reflective.

[@FireIsTheCIeanser]

lol

[@Zaihanisme]

It's almost like you didn't comprehend what you watched.

[@endm_]

It’s interesting to see a butterfly with transparent wings and it’s not completely transparent since there is still color around the edges

[@litrim1285]

“Why can’t I see you?” “Nanopillars, son.”

[@haveiszalfaroqie1628]

Masculine screaming intensifies.

[@jamesfra1311]

Don't f**k with these glasswings!

[@knightmere3365]

@@jamesfra1311 harden in response to metamorphosis

[@chrisguy210]

"Played college ball, you know"

[@armands3153]

NANOMACHINES, SON.

[@edithasd2806]

rest in peace, Debbie :(

[@pluransart1795]

Who was she

[@wagenlowyikhang7019]

@@pluransart1795 Ward

[@NextGenScientistDiscover]

@@pluransart1795 I'm the researcher/contributing cinematographer of this episode. My mom, Debbie Ford, recently passed, and KQED was kind enough to let me dedicate the video in her memory.

[@97SEMTEX]

@@NextGenScientistDiscover sorry for your loss, this was a beautiful episode and I enjoyed it greatly.

[@IdaliaMay]

@@NextGenScientistDiscoverI'm so sorry you lost your mom. I hope you're doing well. Thank you for this wonderful episode.

[@NewMessage]

Clearly, Deep Look has some of the best content on YT.

[@judysilva2871]

Yeah right!?

[@FelisBX7]

Bruh hold that though I got a notification lemme check it

[@htf5555]

must resist urge to click bell

[@theadvancedfloof3514]

wait brb I got a new message

[@jesusapacano7738]

I mean, well, you see

[@lumps17]

4:34 : "They excel at being dull, and that helps them hide in plain sight." I've never felt more relatable to a bug before.

[@zeath_zolaries3508]

I remember reading about them 3 yrs ago!! This totally refreshed my memory of this beautiful and unique butterfly

[@kisnpisn4919]

last time i saw them was 3years ago :) there’s a butterfly wintergarden in the botanical garden in amsterdam where they keep glasswings aswell. they were my absolute favourites!

[@theworld5466]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6vLaaeHpLR4nM0

[@prabhatsing]

What were you studying?

[@ENGCS_YukthaTD]

Is that hisoka??

[@elipsis7651]

Glasswing: **evolves transparent wings with the intention of not being seen** Also Glasswings: **has a very visible black and white design on the top edge of their wings**

[@JBC352]

To be invisible but also intimidating at the same time 😂

[@NubhavK]

Evolution doesn't work that way

[@marcusantipuesto9775]

0:39 I can't imagine how they notice that butterfly was there... Deep look have sharp eyes...

[@somasribanerjee572]

That's the reason they named their channel 🤣🤣

[@joinmeforasmile4464]

They must've looked very *deeply* then 👀

[@shellssoul]

😂✊💛🧡💚💙

[@marimisty-biowonders4285]

There are a Lot of these in tropical regions, they make cracking noises

[@v06261]

Him Him is that a joke?

[@iLilahn]

The real question is When will this be available on animal crossing

[@M0RGUEGIRL]

Lillian Park *[ omg imagine ]*

[@605111]

Now that's one relevant question lol

[@eevee1583]

Imagine trying to catch what you can't see

[@asher-360]

Eevee Emblem Swing ur net randomly

[@marbles7862]

What if it is and its spot in the critterpedia is invisible and it’s only available I’m just for 5 minutes in the morning.

[@imribbit8850]

I found one of these when I was five. *I tried to eat it.*

[@hxtchybk1]

Your profile pic is my reaction

[@snailinashell]

ninjaofdead uh cute cat deer thing? did they change there pfp

[@PJ-cu4cl]

😳

[@theworld5466]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6vLaaeHpLR4nM0

[@ames9360]

That escalated quickly. I wasn't ready-

[@MilkyWay-nc2vw]

1:27 it looks so happy

[@randomgirly-girlsav1506]

You right

[@leticiapvp7918]

You right

[@tameronica]

_happi_

[@randomgirly-girlsav1506]

@Him Him you have no heart

[@heya4405]

@Him Him Uhhhhhh

[@mrpengalin8048]

4:35 That hit me in a spiritual level

[@arm8636]

ahaha awesome

[@wulf768]

That is just stunning, I never knew butterfly wings could be transparent and dull at the same time. Such a beautiful creature.

[@baderalmousa650]

I agree it looks beautiful it's nature beauty

[@funkyojo]

well mosquito wings are also transparent

[@healthybutgotOBCD]

Jojo Hung but they aren’t as cute and pretty 😳

[@CentralAsianShepherdLover]

@@healthybutgotOBCD Every animal is beautiful.

[@elisabeth9951]

"Ever wanted to be invisible?" *Laughs* Amateurs, I always wanted to be non-existent .

[@cinderling5472]

:')

[@lgbtqiarights]

.

[@cheese5434]

:")

[@goodbye8515]

:’)

[@lauralove5740]

X'D

[@sabyasachiojha3723]

Nature-I have so many secrets Deep look- Secrets revealed 😂

[@KQEDDeepLook]

That is our job!

[@sabyasachiojha3723]

@@KQEDDeepLook Love from India

[@OGStarlightKY]

This is very true.

[@comic12558]

Deep Look lol yuuupp 😂

[@rocky-jy5nx]

@@sabyasachiojha3723 I mean I don't think anyone cares about Ur country? Like u shouldn't mention Ur country have u seen an American saying - love from America? No? So please don't mention it

[@ZECRA602]

Such pretty wings

[@punjokes932]

Such beautiful wings

[@altbread7120]

Wings go brbr

[@comic12558]

Yup

[@comic12558]

Others: their so pretty! You: Hahah clear wings go brbrbrrr This is little joke fam to you fam!

[@Ninaloasana]

It's not dull at all, it literally is one of the most beautiful butterfly i've ever seen

[@katareii]

I saw that when I was in middle school, when I pointed it out everyone started to gather around

[@javieruribe9481]

This reminded me of my homeland and how these cuties came to my front garden. Thank you for this video.

[@vladimirlagos2688]

As a Central American native I was quite surprised by this episode. Glasswings are all over my backyard, and I always found them rather unremarkable compared to other flashier butterflies or the many way more flamboyant and exotic insects that creep around here. However, reading about the science of their camouflage does give me a newfound respect for the little critters.

[@Nuparu]

Upload date : 1 minute ago. Me : WHOOOOOOOOOOOSH

[@DPMixing]

How we know we have too much time on our hands during the pandemic lol.

[@tameronica]

"Hey guys, what's goin' on. Petya Krasavin here and we gonna do some time travel!"

[@theworld5466]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6vLaaeHpLR4nM0

[@TheAaa1919]

This was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. Thanks much Deep Look, for bringing such world class content to us

[@KQEDDeepLook]

You are welcome.

[@Amanda-hl7xk]

“Ever wish you could be invisible?” .....yes 😔😔

[@bryannaregalado9650]

"Do you ever want to fade into the background?" Me: *Looks at self in mirror* I think I need to rethink me life again

[@SpelKille]

"Glasswings excel at being dull" Are you kidding me? They look gorgeous!

[@lukoog1425]

Almost invisible, love them but 2:34 'Scientist holding and closely examining one' Butterfly:*SHOW SOME RESPECT*

[@DeleriumLS]

I love "Deep Look". You guys are fantastic. Thank you so much for always providing interesting and awesome information.

[@soulknightcity]

0:12 Every person to have social anxiety ever nowadays lol

[@fleabaguette9699]

How pretty. Their wings look like they were made of crystal or spun sugar. Butterflies are truly some of the most beautiful creatures on the planet.

[@Lppt87]

I have them in my backyard, is so entertaining to watch things between their wings. ❤

[@CIBERXGAMING]

You guys should make a video on the life of carpenter bees. How they drill holes and lay eggs.

[@Raizelash]

"Every wish you could be invisible? ... unnoticed.. background" waahh that's is my whole life as a middle child already, tell me how to be a butterfly

[@kkupsky6321]

I’m a symbiotic relationship with flowers too. I dunno how much pollination I do but I’ve helped lots of cannibis poppy and tobacco plants.

[@PeepStarsGo]

It’s really smart how Glasswing butterflies evolved to lack colour pigments on certain parts of their wings.

[@Kazeshini6]

You have to admit that's pretty awesome to be a creature that started off not being able to fly and moves very slowly to a week laser getting wings and being able to fly

[@gattocat3729]

Glasswing excel in being dull Me: me too, u aint special

[@usernotfound2471]

I didn't searched for this but it's mesmerizing the beauty of nature.

[@llyofthevlly_]

Honestly Glasswing butterflies are one of my favorite butterflies

[@neroteacher142]

I love these butterflies!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@chatwatcher4279]

* first 12 seconds * Me: Yes.

[@The_Jzoli]

Reminds me of clearwing moths. Found a hornet clearwing a few weeks ago and it managed to fool me with its mimicry for a bit before I realized it was a moth!

[@anishrana6702]

Butterfly -" I'm invisible!! " Bird - "I can still see Your body and wing frames!"

[@Sandwichscoot]

What an interesting insect! Also, there are moths with clear wings that look like bees, they’re pretty cool too!

[@Yuki.uix16]

Oh my goooood the caterpillar' legssssss so cuteee i canttt

[@NextGenScientistDiscover]

gummy worms irl

[@BreadCrusader976]

@@NextGenScientistDiscover oh no

[@musicheart1.0iluvu65]

This butterfly is beautiful. She/He looks so lovely!

[@eliasyadon]

This channel just keeps getting better and better

[@anujbramhan9016]

I really observed moulting of catterpillar to butterfly during this lockdown out of my widow sill😃 It was only this I can do..here😂

[@malachitesardonyxvasquez]

2:43 Oh no! My handwriting's exposed

[@chandrakalapambi3583]

Lol 😂

[@KaciCooperations]

Camouflage

[@IzonHow]

This video was absolutely fantastic! Them shots are soo sharp! Thank you for making this :)

[@deshawnglosson6275]

Again thank u for all the videos I learn about things that I have never heard of..and great work to the ones take thr time in filming

[@gitaharihidajat7357]

4:52 What happened to Debbie Ford?

[@mr.i-rexgaming2731]

She died because of old and she maybe the director's aunt or mother or the other voice or the older sister RIP

[@covodex516]

@@mr.i-rexgaming2731 ...so you don't know, right

[@mr.i-rexgaming2731]

@@covodex516 yeah for sure

[@nosysprat6170]

An Instagram post by nextgenscientist (her son) says she passend away because of sudden natural causes.

[@user-vn7ce5ig1z]

MR.I-REX GAMING must be a kid if he thinks 64 is "old" enough to be dead. 🙄

[@Katharoni]

"Ever wish you could be invisible?" Me:

[@esmeraldaramos5809]

i live in texas and when i went to a science museum we have here i came across one and took a cute pic of her! coolest butterfly i've seen to date!

[@skylovecraft2491]

That caterpillar was so cute when he went to lay down lol. Awww☺💗

[@-CloClo-]

I’ve never heard of this breed. Let’s keep them alive for as long as we can.

[@KerpooHater]

breed means a branch of a species bred by humans to have certain characteristics

[@CentralAsianShepherdLover]

It's a species, not a breed.

[@R.Oates7902]

They mean this kind of butterfly I think.

[@RRTSMPlayz]

It looks beautiful

[@bbbele]

i found one a long time ago (i'm from guatemala) and its wings had a delicate almost non-existent iridescent shimmer that makes you think about bubbles, it's a beautiful creature without a doubt :-)

[@sweetcattv]

I bought some of these online and saw them hatch from their pupae they are very cool and tiny, they had a pretty calm demeanor.

[@kazudolly]

Video starts Me: LiKe

[@CMZneu]

Would have loved at least some footage of them flying...

[@tomgabel99]

Just discovered this amazing channel - all because I was looking up the Glasswing Butterfly. Thank you! Just subscribed. ❤️

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Welcome Tom!

[@Girl-SuS-3000]

The glass winged butterfly: "I believe I made myself clear."

[@fasiuddiin]

let this be very clear, they need more appreciation .

[@DarlinDoll]

“Zoom in....past the hairs..” Me: *presses face against butterfly wings crushing it/killing it* OOOOHHHHH-

[@robbyyuwono3971]

Hmm, another unique animal I’ve never known. Thank you DeepLook.

[@KQEDDeepLook]

More to come!

[@muhammadsayyidridhwan3323]

Thanks for the update, Deep Look team!! 👍👍 Another awesome zoom-in episode as always!! 👍👍 I hope one of the upcoming episodes would be elysia chlorotica 😉

[@darkhoodchief]

Glasswing butterflies want to make something perfectly clear: Their wings are not made of glass.

[@nadiahsalsabila5501]

Masyaallah, this butterfly is beautiful.

[@shuay4969]

I have seen them real life, they are beautiful! I would never call them dull 😅

[@kari7403]

Some of my all time favorite butterflies. They are just *SO* beautiful!

[@nurilfaizah64]

Thankyou mr seth samuel and team for the music :) 👍

[@galaxiaknight]

That is astonishingly genius. They evolved not just to have transparent wings but also to make them anti-reflection

[@R.Oates7902]

The glasswing is NOT dull! It's amazing! RIP Debbie Ford

[@Garmin316]

I have watched all 117 vids on this channel. The content is amazing, they don't drag out the video to be longer and keep it simple, and the production is next level. Favourite channel on KZbin

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Glad you like them!

[@Garmin316]

@@KQEDDeepLook ❤️

[@theartstuff_]

I always see them flying outside. They're so tiny. A wonderful butterfly.

[@kennethgarcia8352]

Thanks Laura once again, very impressed and I learned something!!!!

[@H0IidayGirl1225]

Glasswing sounds like a wings of fire fan tribe

[@a.l.l3595]

Ikr

[@H0IidayGirl1225]

Imagine dragons with glass wings-

[@goobitz4231]

I’ve been binge watching the videos on this channel for a few days now and like Wow This is actually really cool

[@pamelapilling6996]

Fascinating. Thank you.

[@charbarstar6463]

Yep, now the glasswing butterfly is my new favorite butterfly!

[@thetacoguyy]

I swear to God I saw one of these on my trip to Mexico, I was so confused since it was my first time encountering one. It was an amazing rare encounter.

[@mk_rexx]

Thanks for *_CLEAR_* ing it up for us!

[@shikikaka894]

I love you laura you teaching me alot about the wild creatures..

[@Oldmankrabs083]

These videos are worth the wait

[@kristamiller2931]

They're so pretty in the spring fluttering through the flower filled meadows

[@antoanetamarinova5322]

So Nice!Thank You!

[@NatureWitch]

Aw this was a good video of deep look, but then sad at the end. She was the Queen of butterflies. R. I. P

[@LandoHitman]

I LOVE these videos! Thank you Deep Look!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Glad you like them!

[@maanobilli2306]

This voice is so clear... And this is an amazing video... ❤️

[@honkboi6593]

I love these type of butterflys, delicate,elegant,translucent just like me

[@reneehau5944]

So delicate, so complex, SO COOL!!!!

[@SmartyPoohBear]

Whoa, they look so magical!

[@conchitinabernardo4370]

How beautiful it is !!!

[@chriskolakovich4838]

Wow, if I could be a butterfly I would be this one. Sometimes I just want to be invisible. Beautiful insect.

[@twilightwolfie7317]

This is one channel I will never regret subscribing to

[@whatsinaname7289]

This is so incredibly beautiful!😍

[@Thecoffeeconsumer]

♡ they're my favourite kind of butterfly, thank you for making this video!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

You are welcome.

[@SachinJani]

That's indeed a super deep look. amazeballs.