The Common Mormon (Papilio polytes romulus)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWS4us4LSS201GwHUqUWYP_P3A8i4brDTIIfriLKyoAx_CVtLsCon-kC06dW9rKCi9EVlRucIe1owuMXD4hMiiSFBj-0E8UwO9YXwXjF9pcEmUSzyqsBA24GnsQtsJXlfNcEl_9V6KG4/s450/bcd3s-commonmormon.jpg)
Many species of the Swallowtail family (Papilionidae) have a unique way of flapping their forewings rapidly whilst their hindwings are held relatively still. This is particularly evident when the butterfly is feeding at flowers. The butterfly targets a flower, flies in and holds the flower with its legs, whilst flapping its forewings rapidly to balance itself and then simultaneously probing the flower for nectar with its proboscis.
For a butterfly photographer, shooting a Swallowtail in flight is challenging, and often a case of anticipation and luck. To 'freeze' the flapping forewings, a shutter speed of above 1/500s is usually required - for the relatively slower-flying Common Mormon as is shown here, and beyond even 1/1000s when shooting the more rapidly flying species like the Graphiums. An article about shooting Swallowtails is found here.