This polydamas swallowtail was rescued today from water. It sat on my hand for a little while drying its wings, before I put it on a penta flower to finish drying. When I came back, it had flown away. Successful rescue and first time this species of swallowtail sat on my hand long enough to really see the beautiful marking, even through the beat up wings.

The polydamas, or otherwise known as the gold rim swallowtail, has a very rapid beat when flying. Even when it is stopping for a drink of nectar, the wings are still beating.

I believe this is a male, as the yellow markings on the outside of its wings are narrow. The yellow on the female are wider.