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
Red helen

Red helen

Papilio helenus

A species of Swallowtails

Resplendent with wings that mimic the night sky speckled with pale yellow and red spots, red helen leads a life of metamorphosis. As a caterpillar, it feeds voraciously on the foliage of citrus plants, cloaked in a deceptive guise that wards off predators. Upon reaching adulthood, the creature transforms, revealing its true elegance as a nectar-feeding advocate of pollination, fluttering from flower to flower in temperate and tropical Asian habitats.

General Info About Red helen
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 Red helen
Colors
Black
Red
White
Habitat
forest
Adult Food Sources
Lantana camara, ixora coccinea, jasminum sambac, nerium oleander, hibiscus spp.
Venomous
Not reported
Non-poisonous
The Red helen is non-toxic and generally doesn't pose a risk to human health. No need for excessive worry.
Borer
Not reported
Pollinator
The Red helen is often found near the corolla, where its fluffy hairs easily pick up pollen, assisting in the pollination of the plant.
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
Phytophagous
The Red helen feeds on plants, usually without causing significant harm. However, it's important to take the situation seriously if their numbers begin to increase significantly.
Predatory
Not reported
Biting animal or pet
Not reported
Mouthparts Type
Siphoning mouthparts
qrcode
Img download isoImg download android
Rectangle
Species Status of Red helen
It is found in southern India and parts of southeast Asia. It is generally common and not threatened.
Rectangle
Adult Size of Red helen
10 - 12 cm
Rectangle
Predators of Red helen Larvae
Birds, ants, wasps, spiders
Rectangle
Predators of Adult Red helen
Birds, spiders, praying mantises
Rectangle
Interesting Facts About Red helen
Red helen employs a unique survival strategy, mimicking unpalatable insects to deter predators through its remarkable wing patterns and movements.
Rectangle
Scientific Classification of Red helen
Tips for Finding Red helen
Your ultimate guide to understanding insects
Unlock the secrets of insect life cycles, habitats, behaviors and observation tips!!
Download the App for Free
Rectangle
Youth Habitat of Red helen
Forests and Woodlands, Tropical Rainforests
Rectangle
Habitat Preferences of Red helen Through Different Life Stages
The eggs of red helen are laid singly on host plants, such as citrus or rue family species, commonly found in gardens or orchards. Searching for caterpillars, one should examine the undersides of leaves on these plants, as they tend to hide there for camouflage. Pupae can be located near the host plants on sturdy substrates where they can safely anchor to undergo metamorphosis. Adults, with a preference for open spaces, can be encountered in various habitats ranging from woodlands to parks, fluttering amongst flowers while nectaring.
Rectangle
When is the Best Time to Observe Red helen
The best times to find red helen are generally in the morning when the temperatures are moderate, the sun is out, and the butterflies are active, or during the early afternoon on sunny days.
Rectangle
What is the Best Weather to Observe Red helen
Red helen is more likely to be found in warm and dry weather. They are less active during cold or rainy days and may be hiding under leaves or in other shelters.
Rectangle
How and Where Can You Find Red helen at Different Life Stages
Egg Red helen eggs are usually laid on the undersides of host plant leaves. To find them, search for their host plants and carefully inspect the leaves for small, spherical objects that could be red helen eggs.
Larva Red helen larvae, or caterpillars, feed on the leaves of specific host plants. Locate these plants and search the leaves and stems for caterpillars or signs of feeding, like chewed leaves or frass (caterpillar droppings).
Pupal Red helen pupae can be found attached to the host plants or nearby structures, typically hidden amongst foliage or in concealed areas like crevices. They can be spotted by searching the general vicinity of the host plant.
Adult Adult red helen can be observed feeding on nectar from flowers, especially brightly colored and fragrant ones. They may also be found resting on vegetation or basking in the sun to warm their wings, making open, sunny spots good places to look.
Are Red helen 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

Usually, the red helen won't threaten or hurt humans. But remember that even a worm will turn. Remember to still be cautious.

Rectangle

Are Red helen harmful to humans?

They are not a poisonous butterfly, but they have a special gland that secretes bad smells and chemicals.
Beneficial Effects of Red helen
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
Prefer Plant Type
Asteraceae
Pollination Behavior Reason
Eat Pollen Or Nectar
Red helen is attracted to flowers primarily through their vivid colors and enticing aromas, visiting various blooms but showing some preference for Asteraceae. While engaging in the act of consuming pollen or nectar, red helen inadvertently collects and transfers pollen between plants, facilitating pollination.
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 Red helen
White-crescent swallowtail
White-crescent swallowtail

Mimoides thymbraeus, the white-crescent swallowtail, is a species of butterfly in the family Papilionidae. It is found from Mexico to El Salvador and Honduras, where it is widespread and common.

Read More
Arrow
Chinese windmill
Chinese windmill

Adorned with wings that showcase a mesmerizing canvas of black and iridescent blue, chinese windmill flutters through temperate forests and grassland biomes. The undersides of its wings reveal a mottled pattern of grey and white, thought to offer camouflage among foliage. As a caterpillar, it is equally impressive with a specialized diet primarily consisting of Aristolochia plant species, but this diet diverges greatly once it transforms, with the adult preferring the nectar of a varied bouquet of flora.

Read More
Arrow
Common windmill
Common windmill

Length 110 to 140 mm Sexes alike Black and white above with prominent swallowtail Red bodied - tail has a red tip Forewings completely black above and below Hindwings crenulated deeply twice on each side of swallowtail. Large oblong white discal spot in 5 (both upperside and underside) and sometimes in 4. Upperside hindwing has irregular marginal red crescents in 1a, 2 and 3 and a small white spot in 4.

Read More
Arrow
White dragontail
White dragontail

A denizen of the Asian tropics, white dragontail presents a delicate, almost ethereal appearance with its translucid wings edged in a contrasting hue. These creatures undergo a remarkable transformation from voracious, leaf-munching larvae to nectar-sipping aerial acrobats, with adults often seen fluttering in sunlit clearings, partaking in the bounty of wildflowers.

Read More
Arrow
Green dragontail
Green dragontail

Characterized by a striking contrast of colors, green dragontail displays a remarkable wing pattern that enhances its visibility among the foliage. As an adult, it unfurls wings that serve both as a display to potential mates and as a warning to predators. The larval form of this creature exhibits an entirely different approach to survival, with a diet focused on certain host plants, which they consume voraciously to fuel their transformation into the elegant aerial adults.

Read More
Arrow
Common clubtail
Common clubtail

Adorned with wings that showcase a dramatic contrast of black and creamy-white, common clubtail features vibrant red and blue eye-catching markings which deter predators. The larvae are distinctly equipped with fleshy spines and feed on host plants, undergoing remarkable transformation to become nectar-imbibing adults, fluttering amongst flowering landscapes. This delicate dance of metamorphosis and vivid colors is a captivating spectacle of nature's artistry.

Read More
Arrow
Yellow Gorgon
Yellow Gorgon

Meandrusa payeni, the yellow gorgon, is a species of swallowtail found in parts of South Asia and Southeast Asia. It belongs to the hooked swallowtails genus, Meandrusa, of the family Papilionidae. It is also called the outlet sword or the sickle.

Read More
Arrow
Variable cattleheart
Variable cattleheart

The upper side of the wings is black with a row of red postmedian spots. The underside of the wings is also black with a row of pink and whitish spots.

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