# Transparency - Let's see some see-through organisms **URL:** \ **Category:** Nature Talk\ **Created:** [February 28, 2025, 7:57pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/transparency-lets-see-some-see-through-organisms/62269 "2025-02-28T19:57:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![danly](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/danly/32/42066_2.png) [@danly](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/danly)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2025, 4:28pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/transparency-lets-see-some-see-through-organisms/62269/21 "2025-03-02T16:28:06Z")
I hope this rather cute snail is transparent enough to qualify. What’s that saying, “transparency is in the eye if the beholder?” ![IMG_0147](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/9/1/917cbde0d818a49300d045424e6c2b3fc070545c.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![whaichi](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/whaichi/32/277_2.png) [@whaichi](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/whaichi)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2025, 6:06pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/transparency-lets-see-some-see-through-organisms/62269/22 "2025-03-03T18:06:37Z")
Shiny tortoise beetles have semi-transparent ‘shields’ extending out from their thorax and abdomen. ![Cassida piperata](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/d/6/d6a60ce0869186bbf6113028b1aeb0fc0fb6aa56.jpeg) _Cassida piperata_ | Small Tortoise Beetle · 애남생이잎벌레 ---
**Author:** ![susanne-kasimir](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/susanne-kasimir/32/34021_2.png) [@susanne-kasimir](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/susanne-kasimir)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2025, 6:28pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/transparency-lets-see-some-see-through-organisms/62269/23 "2025-03-03T18:28:28Z")
Palaemon elegans - rockpool prawn are really elegant ![DDA4D026-5172-420C-8451-E5369C3A8B67_1_105_c](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/8/6/86e5d136e4143a998dfca41d4340d9d70e9ac341.jpeg) [https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/166908200](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/166908200) ---
**Author:** ![nick\_nv04](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/nick_nv04/32/54884_2.png) [@nick\_nv04](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/nick_nv04)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2025, 6:52pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/transparency-lets-see-some-see-through-organisms/62269/24 "2025-03-03T18:52:48Z")
![Deloyala guttata](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/4/4/44ebadf8c66a6e3ea5313e204d9ae3f8d3d2c8ab.jpeg) [Mottled tortoise beetle](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/232719548)! ---
**Author:** ![alasdair\_scott](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/alasdair_scott/32/33946_2.png) [@alasdair\_scott](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/alasdair_scott)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2025, 2:43am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/transparency-lets-see-some-see-through-organisms/62269/25 "2025-03-04T02:43:23Z")
![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/6/1/61b926df32262af02194b6fe2eedd00994a52596.jpeg) _Cochranella pulverata_ Glass frog. Credit to Geoff Gallice ![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/d/6/d6c78e06a4ededc1d8a72ad88cb9a1fff9e3a26d.jpeg) _Diphylleia grayi_ Skeleton flower. Usually white, turns transparent when wet. Credit to Midori Mountains ---
**Author:** ![isopodguy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/isopodguy/32/58177_2.png) [@isopodguy](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/isopodguy)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2025, 1:07am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/transparency-lets-see-some-see-through-organisms/62269/26 "2025-03-05T01:07:06Z")
![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/b/3/b333082daac6dbaeec79b796bba2e8161c174d0b.jpeg) Amphipod (probably genus Atylus) ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/9/a/9adc308ffd0c4c4b74d78aeb9a99ba3982e955b7.jpeg) Moonglow anemone I found these both earlier today. It was a great beach day for me! ---
**Author:** ![dhasdf](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/dhasdf/32/40579_2.png) [@dhasdf](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/dhasdf)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2025, 1:51am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/transparency-lets-see-some-see-through-organisms/62269/27 "2025-03-05T01:51:37Z")
Another mottled tortoise beetle: ![original](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/2/3/23dfb61bdfd092144e252747e8e7338d952bb899.jpeg) [_Deloyala guttata_](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/252674466) ---
**Author:** ![katya](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/katya/32/1125_2.png) [@katya](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/katya)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2025, 3:51am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/transparency-lets-see-some-see-through-organisms/62269/28 "2025-03-05T03:51:14Z")
[https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/36752166](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/36752166) ![Clipboard-163](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/4/d/4df2ff82f6fde77a3a8a712b5c602addc34c4e18.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![katya](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/katya/32/1125_2.png) [@katya](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/katya)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2025, 4:00am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/transparency-lets-see-some-see-through-organisms/62269/29 "2025-03-05T04:00:58Z")
[https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/4313925](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/4313925) ![Clipboard-164](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/7/8/78600b77f9cd6226df8cdb3aef0c7d3d1df04dac.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![rizwan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bcef8e/32.png) [@rizwan](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/rizwan)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2025, 7:07am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/transparency-lets-see-some-see-through-organisms/62269/30 "2025-03-05T07:07:38Z")
I have planned to make a project showcasing transparent organisms recently! I think I looked it up but the only one that fit the description was for a few specific ocean taxa that people get mixed up. I like fun little collection projects about interesting traits though. The problem is it’s addicting[!](https://garlicgardeningtips.com/is-an-onion-a-vegetable/) I can’t think of any of my own observations with transparency that are particularly interesting but this and traits like reflective organisms (not necessarily metallic ones) could be really fun. ---
**Author:** ![localnaturespotter](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/localnaturespotter/32/52282_2.png) [@localnaturespotter](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/localnaturespotter)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2025, 8:58am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/transparency-lets-see-some-see-through-organisms/62269/31 "2025-03-05T08:58:26Z")
![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/c/b/cb67030300ed2b8d36439ccd8433b1f6da9758ff.jpeg) Glass Shrimp, NZ. ---
**Author:** ![erin-816](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/erin-816/32/57434_2.png) [@erin-816](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/erin-816)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2025, 1:56pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/transparency-lets-see-some-see-through-organisms/62269/32 "2025-03-05T13:56:18Z")
_[Charidotella purpurata](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/227860091)_ (Small Orange Tortoise Beetle) ![Charidotella purpurata](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/9/0/90695cbf6e3ee302f3da0cfd1cb5e2fbaa758bfc.jpeg) _[Anisoptera](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/257870173)_ (Dragonflies) ![Anisoptera](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/2/b/2bd7e46b5a8785dc3822c9e665fbbdc1996fdc45.jpeg) _[Annelida](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/208678369)_ (Segmented Worms) ![Annelida](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/e/f/ef1725c9e25a9e36a067277ee206f600b1e8f50f.jpeg) _[Caecidotea](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/207270445)_ (American Waterslaters)(?) ![Caecidotea](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/7/4/740926a2f5fd628ad4e2b19b6f04fa21e7c91159.jpeg) _Hadziida_ amphipods ![Hadziida](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/6/e/6ed0ce750b16bfe916387166a8069603d9d0590d.jpeg) _Ischyrus_ pleasing fungus beetle larvae ![Ischyrus](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/c/8/c87e111a3a8d8c71f288182989110e6560804610.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![sygrnwd](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/sygrnwd/32/23900_2.png) [@sygrnwd](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/sygrnwd)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2025, 6:59pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/transparency-lets-see-some-see-through-organisms/62269/33 "2025-03-05T18:59:16Z")
My favorite is this the larva of this aphid eater, _Eupeodes pomus_. To me, transparency in living things is always pretty stunning. ![EupodesPomesLarva-2023-08-23](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/e/f/ef3c771cbe4dd26d60878cb298681d449bf2a615.jpeg) (my observarion here:[https://inaturalist.ca/observations/179921366](https://inaturalist.ca/observations/179921366) ---
**Author:** ![bobmcd](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/bobmcd/32/1761_2.png) [@bobmcd](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/bobmcd)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2025, 8:15am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/transparency-lets-see-some-see-through-organisms/62269/34 "2025-03-07T08:15:27Z")
As mentioned earlier, there is a project for specific transparent/translucent marine organisms: [https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/jellyfish-comb-jellies-salps-and-other-transparents-transluscents](https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/jellyfish-comb-jellies-salps-and-other-transparents-transluscents) Some of inclusions into that project that I have are: ![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/0/1/01575341ec0a7165a758f33756c729192ebd6a21.jpeg) [Bolinopsis microptera](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/1419827) ![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/3/7/379a84f13f082d988dc4f05dc06df9ba5c0e12b9.gif) ![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/1/f/1f8a1ed1de29d23f5d3b22a66fb8722d72181b61.jpeg) [Cliopsis krohnii](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/1149649) ![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/8/5/85e0cfef1185a3792d85d15c5e376464320734a4.jpeg) [Beroe mitrata](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/1157238) ![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/a/2/a21e3ab4d4f2600330d2aac93ea198e842d90143.jpeg) ![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/f/b/fb3e3c421bacfc98dd21baddee6b9962b8df7346.gif) ![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/7/8/78c3eecacb413012a80d9e8c75d2564d3195ddae.jpeg) [Gleba cordata](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/255491) ---
**Author:** ![isopodguy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/isopodguy/32/58177_2.png) [@isopodguy](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/isopodguy)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 7:52pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/transparency-lets-see-some-see-through-organisms/62269/35 "2025-03-11T19:52:38Z")
![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/0/2/02a01c61c3d7f24aa070b1e300790dec8b953f50.jpeg) A sea louse that was found in some frozen halibut meat ---
**Author:** ![eyekosaeder](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/eyekosaeder/32/66699_2.png) [@eyekosaeder](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/eyekosaeder)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 9:17pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/transparency-lets-see-some-see-through-organisms/62269/36 "2025-03-11T21:17:46Z")
Transparent is as transparent does! ---
**Author:** ![wendy5](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/wendy5/32/32255_2.png) [@wendy5](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/wendy5)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 9:26pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/transparency-lets-see-some-see-through-organisms/62269/37 "2025-03-11T21:26:07Z")
![Mitrocoma cellularia (Cross Jellyfish)](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/0/0/00db0a33c0b04e68ae71b48bdebd56f0df605907.jpeg) A Mitrocoma cellularia (Cross Jellyfish) is mostly transparent. ---
**Author:** ![whaichi](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/whaichi/32/277_2.png) [@whaichi](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/whaichi)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2025, 4:01am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/transparency-lets-see-some-see-through-organisms/62269/38 "2025-03-12T04:01:41Z")
I had no idea what this organism was until a helpful identifier came by and identified it as a hoverfly larvae: ![Transparent - Family Syrphidae](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/f/7/f72815d90d5f5969306d22736f256b74be91c08e.jpeg) Family Syrphidae | Hover Flies · 꽃등에과 This mayfly has its color coming in but you can kind of see the rear hind leg through the abdomen if you squint hard enough: ![Transparent - Stenonema femoratum](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/9/8/98a5eb7ce0ff8625c1dca7158641545856409b52.jpeg) _Stenonema femoratum_ | Dark Cahill ---
**Author:** ![isopodguy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/isopodguy/32/58177_2.png) [@isopodguy](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/isopodguy)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2025, 1:00am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/transparency-lets-see-some-see-through-organisms/62269/39 "2025-04-06T01:00:57Z")
Opossum shrimp ![large](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/d/3/d34cff0bd6eb3c70f4113316232e9efd213c0971.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![tjeales](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/tjeales/32/28691_2.png) [@tjeales](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/tjeales)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2025, 12:27am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/transparency-lets-see-some-see-through-organisms/62269/40 "2025-04-08T00:27:30Z")
Cockroach [Mediastinia sp.](https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/37218560) The outer edge of the pronotum and abdomen are amazingly transparent from above. ![tran](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/7/1/714fea346e4a6d8ca75cb8f740ecffe4c4a1f56e.jpeg) But at a different angle and lighting you can see it ![trans](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/6/0/607c36af405a601729783b23cf82a30e14e46b00.jpeg) [Previous page](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/transparency-lets-see-some-see-through-organisms/62269.md?page=1) [Next page](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/transparency-lets-see-some-see-through-organisms/62269.md?page=3)