Catalog > Morpho Helena in Victorian Shadowbox!
Morpho rhetenor helena
Considered by many to be the most beautiful butterfly in the world, Helena is certainly the most beautiful of the Morpho family. It is not surprising then, that it was named after '’Helen of Troy' from Greek mythology, as Helen was considered the fairest lady in the land, if not the entire world. Found in Peru, this butterfly is highly sought after by collectors far and wide for its ephemeral and almost magical reflective qualities that change from violet to blue in a glimmering display of brilliance. This butterfly has long been used by native South American Indians in the making of jewelry and ritual costume for the same reason. Like all male blue morphos, the scales of the upper surface are translucent and faceted just perfectly to only refract the most vivid blues of the electromagnetic spectrum. The females do not have these same facets, and are yellow-brown in color. The females sit in the undergrowth awaiting the males which sail high through the arboreal canopy, chasing anything bright blue that enters their territory. Truly a testimony to the Creator that defies an evolutionary explanation....
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