Morpho helenor (Cramer, 1776)

Common Name:
Helenor Morpho
Synonyms:

Papilio helenor (Cramer, 1776)

Natural History:

There is about 30 subspecies in Morpho helenor (Lamas, 2004). 

This species occurs in the shaded understory, but comes out to sun and open areas for look food resource in open areas. 

In some collections Morpho helenor and Morpho achilles are not differentiated. During the flight the two are indistinguishable.

Distribution:
Brasil; Colombia; Costa Rica; Guyana; Guyane française; Honduras; México; Nicaragua; Paraguay; Perú; Suriname; Trinidad and Tobago; Venezuela
Feeding Caterpillars:

According observed by F. Campos Neto (com. pessoal) the caterpillars feed on leaves of:

Leguminosae: Machaerium sp.

Malphigiaceae: Heteropteris anoptera

Lacistemataceae: Lacistema hassleriana

Color:
blue, black, brown, metallic, white, red
Habitat:
forest edge, forest
morpho helenor nature

Resting on a leaf

Photo: Marcos Amend

morpho helenor nature2

Sucking puddling

Photo: Marcos Amend

morpho helenor male dorsal

Male, from dorsal

Specimen deposited in the Collection of Invertebrates INPA, Amazonas

morpho helenor male ventral

Male, from ventral variant

Specimen deposited in the Collection of Invertebrates INPA, Amazonas

morpho helenor female dorsal

Female, from dorsal

Specimen deposited in the Collection of Invertebrates INPA, Amazonas

morpho helenor female ventral

Female, from ventral

Specimen deposited in the Collection of Invertebrates INPA, Amazonas