Hi there and welcome to e-mail newsletter #26!

This message goes to my 118 subscribers, with a big Thank you for signing up. If you have not yet explored the OneBeautifulPlanet.org Newsletter archive, check it out. I wrote the first issue in June 2023, and an overview of the effort at the 100 subscribers milestone a couple of weeks ago.

The Glasswing

Every week I feature a person, animal, or plant that inspired or intrigued me. It is a moment of reflection and gratitude, meant to find lessons and nurture curiosity. Last week it was Madagascar’s largest carnivore, the Fossa, while prior weeks included animals like the axolotl, the albatross, and luminaries such as Carl Sagan and Sylvia Earle.

I first learned of the insect species called the glasswing while reading about MacKenzie Scott’s work and writing about her philanthropy. When I googled it, I could not believe it is an actual living creature! With its delicate beauty, and unique transparency, the glasswing butterfly, scientifically known as Greta oto, looks like it comes straight from a fairy tale. Found primarily in Central and South America, these butterflies can carry up to 40 times their weight and are renowned for their translucent wings, making them an emblem of elegance and natural wonder in the insect world.

The most striking visible feature of this butterfly is, of course, its wings. Unlike most butterflies that display vibrant colors or intricate patterns, the glasswing boasts nearly transparent wings, resembling fragile panes of glass. These wings, often devoid of the usual pigmentation found in other butterfly species, serve as an an interesting adaptation that allows these creatures to camouflage effortlessly amidst their surroundings.

The glasswing’s wings serve a dual purpose. Firstly, their transparency allows them to blend into their habitat, making them less susceptible to predators. Their ability to evade detection by mimicking the colors and textures of the environment grants them a survival advantage, enabling them to thrive in various ecosystems, from rainforests to subtropical regions. As a fan of Arnold Schwarzenegger, I was reminded of the cloaking device used by the alien creature in the 1987 movie Predator!

Secondly, the transparent wings of the glasswing serve a role in attracting mates. During courtship, these creatures engage in a mesmerizing dance, displaying their transparent wings to signal readiness for mating. This display of transparency in their wings serves as a form of communication, enhancing their reproductive success within their species. 

Despite their fragile appearance, glasswing butterflies are remarkably resilient. Much like other butterflies, they undergo a complete metamorphosis, starting as an egg before hatching into a caterpillar. Throughout this stage, they feed on various host plants, storing nutrients needed for their transformation. After the caterpillar stage, they form the chrysalis, within which they undergo a miraculous metamorphosis, emerging as butterflies.

These butterflies also play a key role in the ecosystem as pollinators. While foraging for nectar from flowers, they inadvertently transfer pollen from one plant to another, aiding in the reproduction of plant species. Their role in pollination contributes significantly to maintaining the balance and diversity of flora within their habitats.

With its awe-inspiring transparency, the glasswing can be considered a symbol of resilience, beauty, and adaptation in the natural world. Their wings, a marvel of evolution, not only serve as a means of survival but also captivate the imagination of all who encounter these enchanting insects. With insects under threat worldwide, understanding and protecting these delicate yet resilient creatures can be essential in preserving the biodiversity and splendor of our natural world.

Sources:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greta_oto

• https://mackenzie-scott.medium.com/116-organizations-driving-change-67354c6d733d

Mindset

“The activist is not the man who says the river is dirty. The activist is the man who cleans up the river." — Ross Perot

In the Works

On the action front, I spent an hour Saturday morning cleaning up near the Philadelphia Fairmount Park and Route 76W exit, for the second time this year. This is a high traffic area that for some reason accumulates a lot of litter.

Once complete, a gut punch hit me as I returned to my car, finding it had been broken into: front side windows were shattered and there was glass everywhere. Thankfully no real valuables were stolen and while I soured for a few minutes having been violated in the very city I am trying to improve, I quickly moved on. In fact, this reaffirmed my dream of simply investing in an old pickup truck to use for my environmental cleanup hobby - just like Dan Taylor in the suburbs of Baltimore. It would attract less unwanted attention and I could even put the One Beautiful Planet logo on it!

On the knowledge and education front, I am continuing the Terra.do Learning for Action online program on climate change fundamentals. This week we had an amazing guest lecture by Zach Brown, PhD, of the Tidelines Institute in Alaska and a session on home electrification, by Mike DiRico. The latter prompted me to consider switching to an electric stove from a gas powered one, whereas the former was a reminder that while personal action is important, to cause real, lasting change, and diversify away from fossil fuel energy sources, one needs to operate in the public domain and on a much larger scale. This chart is a simple but powerful illustration:

Lastly, it’s worth sharing a piece that I am excited about which is the collaboration with Georgina Zamora, of Escuela Biodiversidad Costa Rica. Georgina designed new illustrations for my Introduction to Environmental Science article. Check it out!

If you found this newsletter helpful or interesting, please share with your friends, contacts, and anyone you know who may benefit from following my journey. Let’s gain some knowledge, and take action toward a cleaner, healthier world!

Thank you.

Razvan