Troides helena has black forewings with grayish stripes, more pronounced in females. The hind wings are golden yellow with black veins and outlines. Female butterflies have a series of large black spots in the submarginal area, while male butterflies have only one or a few submarginal points.
Larva: larvae of Troides helena are reddish brown in color with orange on the anterior and posterior segments, the body is covered with turbecles with short setae. In the 5th instar, the color of the body becomes dark brown to blackish. All stages of the Troides helena instar have a fleshy organ called the osmeterium in the prothoracic segment, which is orange in color and serves to protect itself from threats.
Pupa: Troides helena pupae are green and brown, resemble rolled leaves, upright about 43 – 45 mm long.