← back to grid
legendary
Sylphina Angel
Chorinea sylphina
- Habitat
- Cloud forests of the Andes (Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador), 1500–2500m elevation
- Wingspan
- 32 mm
- Order
- Lepidoptera · Riodinidae
Weird but real
Forewings are crystal-clear, hindwings carry slim ribbon-like red tails that flutter behind the body in flight. The transparency comes from naked wing membrane — no scales at all in those patches.
Why it's cool
Looks more like origami made of cellophane than a living animal. The trailing red ribbons make it move through forest light like a tiny kite.
