Clearwing: biology and physics decrypt transparency in butterflies and moths

Clearwing project is an international interdisciplinary project gathering biologists and physicists. Transparency is common in water but rare on land, mostly restricted to insect wings. Within insects, Lepidoptera is an interesting group to study as butterflies and moths have wings typically covered with scales, producing coloration through pigments and/or structures. Scales are involved in many functions spanning from camouflage, communication, temperature balance, water repellency, fight against pathogens, and flight enhancement. Yet, many species present partially or fully transparent wings, which raises many questions:

· How is transparency achieved? What are the physical constraints operating on transparency on land? Do different strategies exist that allow producing transparent wings?

. What are the genetic and developmental pathways that lead to transparent wings?

. Why do these species harbour transparency on their wings? in other words, what are the functions fulfilled by transparency? how are vital functions like thermoregulation or water repellency are ensured in clearwing species?

This project aims to document transparency in insects and better understand transparency on land

Fundings