Pale Grass Blue vs Red Helen

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute	Pale Grass Blue	Red Helen
Scientific Name	Zizeeria maha	Papilio helenus
Order	Lepidoptera	Lepidoptera
Family	Lycaenidae	Papilionidae
Size	15-25 mm wingspan	110-140 mm wingspan
Habitat	Meadows	Forests
Diet	Nectar Feeders	Omnivores
Regions	East Asia, Japan/Korea	Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos)
Conservation	Least Concern	Least Concern

Pale Grass Blue

One of the smallest and most common butterflies in Japan, known as 'yamato-shijimi.' Found everywhere from city sidewalks to mountain meadows. Pale blue upperwings with spotted undersides.

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Did You Know?

This butterfly became an unlikely research subject after Fukushima, as scientists documented radiation-induced mutations in populations near the disaster site.

Red Helen

A large, elegant swallowtail butterfly with black wings marked by large creamy-white patches on the hindwings and red crescents along the hindwing margin. It has a slow, sailing flight.

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Did You Know?

The caterpillar has an osmeterium, a bright orange forked organ behind the head that releases a foul smell to deter predators.