Greta oto

Glasswing

Basic Information

General information

Family: “Nymphalidae”
Sub Family: Ithomiinae
Estimated Lifespan 26 Days

Garden Specific Information

Estimated Number In Flight: 2
Total Number of Pupae Received: 3201
First Flown On: 08/21/03
Last Flown On: 09/19/24

Species Range:

  • “NorthAmerica” “SouthAmerica”

Host plants:

  • Solanaceae
  • Cestrum lanatum
  • C. standleyi

Food Source

Adults are known to feed on a variety of nectar plants, but especially Aster flowers, from which males gather chemicals needed for pheromone production.

Etymology Of Name

The genus Greta is Greek for ‘pearl’, while oto is Greek for ear.

Habitat

Glasswing butterflies are found in various habitats throughout Central America, usually near a host plant.

Life history

Male Glasswings take part in a behavior called lekking where the males gather together and defend small territories. The females choose a male based on his defended territory. After mating, females lay eggs on the host plant. When they hatch, the larvae feed on the host plant until they form pupae.

Flights

There are multiple flights throughout the year ranging from Mexico to Panama. Adults can be found year round.

Fun Facts

The poisonous compounds in Aster flowers allow males to produce a potent pheromone. Grouping together allows mass release of this pheromone, which makes it very easy for females to locate the lekking grounds of males.