As one of the major types of repetitive sequences,transposable elements (TEs) are the most abundant DNA in high plants,and have been recognized to play important roles in altering gene structures,regulating gene expression,affecting genome evolution and creating new genes.Helitron TEs belong to DNA transposons,and have been found to frequently capture gene or gene fragments,and often insert into genes or nearby during transpositional process.Therefore it was believed to be important in genomic composition,genome evolution,and altering genotype and phenotype.In this review,we introduced the recent progress on helitrons,and then summarized the recent progress on the structural characteristics,the methods for identification and classification,the DNA content in genomes,the distribution across chromosomes,the transpositional replication and the capture of gene fragments.Finally,we discussed the problems for the current helitron study,and the perspectives for future research.