Try for Free
tab list
Picture Insect
English
arrow
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Home Application Download FAQ
English
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Icon about
About
Icon about
General Info
Icon about
Search Tips
Icon about
Harmful or Not
Icon about
Beneficial Effects
Icon about
Common FAQs
Icon about
Similar Insects
Icon about
Popular Insects
Helena Morpho

Helena Morpho

Morpho helena

A species of Morpho

Morpho helena, the Helena morpho, is a Neotropical butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. It is found in the rainforests of northern South America. The wingspan is 75 to 100 millimetres (3.0 to 3.9 in). It is known for its metallic blue and shiny wings. Many authorities consider Morpho helena a subspecies of Morpho rhetenor, and thus is sometimes named Morpho rhetenor helena.

General Info About Helena Morpho
Instantly identify insects with a snap
Snap a photo for instant insect ID and risk assessment, gaining quick insights on bite assessment, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safe interaction tips, etc.
Download the App for Free
Rectangle
Attributes of Helena Morpho
Biting/stinging
Not reported
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
Not reported
Venomous
Not reported
Non-poisonous
Not reported
Borer
Not reported
Pollinator
Not reported
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
Phytophagous
Not reported
Predatory
Not reported
Biting animal or pet
Not reported
Mouthparts Type
Siphoning mouthparts
qrcode
Img download isoImg download android
Rectangle
Life Cycle of Helena Morpho
Egg The egg stage involves the helena Morpho laying eggs on a host plant. These eggs, which are small and often spherical, harbor the embryo that will hatch into a larva. Size, shape, and color can vary but tend to blend into the environment for protection.
Larva In this stage, the helena Morpho is a caterpillar, which is predominantly focused on feeding and growth. They undergo several molts, increasing in size with each stage. Typically, they have a distinct coloration that changes with instars to deter predators.
Pupal During pupation, the helena Morpho is encased within a chrysalis and undergoes significant transformation. This is a non-feeding, immobile stage where its tissues are reorganized into the adult form. Color and shape are often cryptic to avoid detection.
Adult Emerging from the pupa, the adult helena Morpho’s development is marked by the presence of wings and functional reproductive organs. The body is fully formed and hardened, and the adult is mobile, focusing on reproduction and nectar feeding.
Rectangle
Predators of Helena Morpho Larvae
Ants, wasps, birds, spiders
Rectangle
Predators of Adult Helena Morpho
Birds, bats, spiders, mammalian predators
Rectangle
Interesting Facts About Helena Morpho
Helena Morpho have scales on their wings that reflect light, causing their striking iridescent blue coloration, which is not due to pigmentation.
Rectangle
Scientific Classification of Helena Morpho
Tips for Finding Helena Morpho
Your ultimate guide to understanding insects
Unlock the secrets of insect life cycles, habitats, behaviors and observation tips!!
Download the App for Free
Rectangle
How Can You Attract Helena Morpho
As helena Morpho is attracted to fermenting fruit and other sweet substances, bait traps using overripe bananas or similar fruit could be effective.
Rectangle
Habitat Preferences of Helena Morpho Through Different Life Stages
The eggs of helena Morpho are typically laid on the underside of host plant leaves in tropical forests. Moving to the caterpillar stage, these are found chewing on the leaves of their host plants, usually in concealed areas to avoid predation. As they progress into chrysalises, they do so in more hidden locations, possibly under leaves or in crevices, where they remain until metamorphosis completes. Finally, the adult helena Morpho predominately inhabits the understory of neotropical forests and are often seen fluttering along riverbanks or clearings where they can bask in sunlight and feed on fermenting fruits.
Rectangle
When is the Best Time to Observe Helena Morpho
The best time to find adult helena Morpho is usually on warm, sunny days, typically in the late morning or early afternoon when temperatures are suitable for their activity. Caterpillar stages might be found throughout the day as long as the weather is not too cold.
Rectangle
What is the Best Weather to Observe Helena Morpho
Warm, dry, and sunny weather is preferable for finding helena Morpho as it encourages them to be active and feed. However, overcast days could still provide opportunities to find them resting on the undersides of leaves.
Rectangle
How and Where Can You Find Helena Morpho at Different Life Stages
Egg Helena Morpho eggs can be found on host plants, usually on the underside of leaves. They are small and often laid in clusters. Search on the leaves of host plants by looking for small, often spherical or ovular deposits.
Larva Helena Morpho caterpillars are likely to be found on or near their host plants, feeding on the leaves. Search for damaged leaves and look closely for helena Morpho caterpillars camouflaged among the foliage.
Pupal Finding helena Morpho in the pupal stage may require looking for chrysalises attached to plant stems, leaves, or sometimes even buildings or other structures near host plants. They may be disguised with colors that blend into their surroundings.
Adult Adult helena Morpho can be found feeding on nectar from flowers or sipping minerals from wet soil or puddles. Look for them in butterfly-friendly gardens or near streams and paths where they may come to drink.
Are Helena Morpho harmful?
Your Complete Pest Control Guide
Discover effective tips for preventing and eliminating pest infestations to keep bugs away from your home.
Download the App for Free
Rectangle

Are Helena Morpho harmful to humans?

Some larvae of tortoiseshell butterflies feed on milkweed, which is a poisonous plant containing cardiac glycosides, so the larvae are poisonous. Although poisonous, these butterflies will not directly affect humans if not swallowed. Touching the larvae of certain tortoiseshell butterflies may cause a rash.
Beneficial Effects of Helena Morpho
Discover the hidden benefits of insects
Explore how insects help as pollinators, pest predators, and biocontrol agents. From seed dispersal to decomposition, they play vital roles in our ecosystem.
Download the App for Free
Pollinator
Pollinator
Pollination Behavior Reason
Eat Pollen Or Nectar
Helena Morpho is an effective pollinator, attracted to flowers primarily through visual cues, particularly color. While feeding on pollen, helena Morpho inadvertently collects and transfers grains between flowers, facilitating plant reproduction. This pollinator is known for its role in maintaining the biodiversity of their habitats.
Common Questions People Also Ask
Get Quick Insect Answers with a Snap
Snap a photo for instant insect ID and answers on bites, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safety tips!
Download the App for Free
More Insects that are Similar to Helena Morpho
Rainforest brown
Rainforest brown

The wingspan is 3.5 - 4 cm for males and 3.5 - 4 cm for females.

Read More
Arrow
Isabella's longwing
Isabella's longwing

Eueides isabella is a large butterfly with a wingspan of 7 - 9 cm. The uppersides of the wings is dark brown, with orange bands and yellowish markings on the edges of the forewings. The undersides of the wings are quite similar to the uppersides, but the edges of the hindwings show a series of small blue spots.

Read More
Arrow
Blue-gray satyr
Blue-gray satyr

Magneuptychia libye is a butterfly from the subfamily Satyrinae of the family Nymphalidae. The scientific name of the species was first validly published in 1767 by Carl Linnaeus.

Read More
Arrow
Two-Banded Satyr
Two-Banded Satyr

Pareuptychia ocirrhoe, the two-banded satyr or banded white ringlet, is a species of butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. It is found from Mexico to the Guyanas, Paraguay and northern Argentina. The habitat consists of forests. The wingspan is about 37 mm. The larvae feed on Eleusine species.

Read More
Arrow
White-banded satyr
White-banded satyr

Pareuptychia metaleuca, the one-banded satyr, is a species of butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. It is found from Mexico to Brazil.

Read More
Arrow
Common maplet
Common maplet

Chersonesia risa, the common maplet, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. It is found in South-East Asia.

Read More
Arrow
Wavy maplet
Wavy maplet

Chersonesia rahria is an Indomalayan butterfly of the family Nymphalidae (Cyrestinae). It is found from Manipur and Naga Hills to Burma then from Borneo to Celebes.

Read More
Arrow
Acontius firewing
Acontius firewing

Description of upperside about male is that antennae, head, thorax, and abdomen are black. Wings are fine velvety black. An orange-coloured bar, about ​6 mm broad, rises in the middle of the superior wings, running circularly and crossing the inferior ones, meeting about the middle of the abdominal edges. Underside of male is that palpi is white. Tongue is brown. Breast and legs are white. Abdomen is yellow brown. Wings are shining brown, exhibiting various shades of changeable colours; the tips are terminating in an ash colour. Wings scarcely dentated. Wingspan ​is 7 cm.

Read More
Arrow
Other Popular Insects
Western honey bee
Western honey bee

Western honey bee(Apis mellifera) is the most common species of honeybee in the world. Among the first domesticated insects, its cultural and economic impact on humanity has been vast and far-reaching, providing honey, wax and its services as a pollinator. Western honey bee faces challenges worldwide, such as colony collapse disorder, and populations are thought to be decreasing.

Read More
Arrow
Monarch butterfly
Monarch butterfly

The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is the most recognizable butterfly in North America. It is best known for its appearance, but should be better known for the fact that it has a 3000-mile migration that takes the butterfly 4 generations to complete. Their diet is also a natural deterrent for predators, as they eat milkweed, a poison that induces vomiting.

Read More
Arrow
Japanese rhinoceros beetle
Japanese rhinoceros beetle

The japanese rhinoceros beetle (Trypoxylus dichotomus) is a massive beetle about the size of the palm of a hand. It's distinguished by its long Y-shaped horn, which it uses to fight other males with. It's a nocturnal bug that feeds on sap and sweet fruits. This species is sometimes kept as a pet due to its unique appearance and simple care requirements.

Read More
Arrow
Silkworm
Silkworm

The silken threads produced by silkworm during its larval stage have been highly coveted for millennia, manifesting as a luxurious fabric in human society. Remarkably, this creature has a singular diet, feeding exclusively on the leaves of its primary host plant from which it extracts the necessary nutrients to facilitate its transition into a non-feeding, winged adult.

Read More
Arrow
Menelaus blue morpho
Menelaus blue morpho

Menelaus blue morpho (Morpho menelaus) is a gorgeous butterfly with large, royal blue wings. Linnaeus named the genus Morpho the Aphrodite-Ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty for its extreme beauty. It is native to tropical rainforests. Though many butterfly gardens now cultivate them in captivity, there are still many people who never get a chance to see them.

Read More
Arrow
Atlas moth
Atlas moth

While the atlas moth (Attacus atlas) can't tell you where to find your country on the map, it does earn its name through other means. It is one of the largest moths in the world, with a wingspan that is far larger than its body, creating an abnormal comparison. In India, their silk is gathered in a non-commercial capacity and is considered to be more durable than the domestic silkworm.

Read More
Arrow
Flying peacock spider
Flying peacock spider

Both sexes reach about 5 mm in body length. Females and immatures of both sexes are brown but have color patterns by which they can be distinguished from related species. Also, the males dance to attract females.

Read More
Arrow
Multicolored asian ladybeetle
Multicolored asian ladybeetle

Often confused for the ladybug, multicolored asian ladybeetle (Harmonia axyridis) is a separate species that, unlike the ladybug, is a household pest. It is considered particularly annoying for its habit of returning to places from which it is removed. One of the most variable species in the world, there are many different colors and patterns multicolored asian ladybeetle may display, making identification potentially difficult.

Read More
Arrow