The beetle glinted bright green in the sun as he crawled slowly along the boardwalk. Actually, tried to crawl. His dark, spindly legs wiggling antennae were moving futily. I picked him up and gently placed him on a leafy plant growing in the dune, but he just slid off. Realizing the beetle was near the end, I scooped him up and carried him, tickling my palm, the four miles home along the beach. By the time we got back to our beach house, the beetle’s legs were still and stiffening, so I put him in an empty pill vial (after displaying him to the family) and brought him home.
That was four and a half years ago, and I finally had the urge to paint him last week. It’s funny how sometimes I just have to wait until the right time to paint something. First I pulled out books and figured out that my little green friend was a Caterpillar Hunter Beetle, a beneficial species that lives up to three years.
“Calosoma scrutator is a highly beneficial species that climbs trees in search of caterpillar prey. Although the beetles are active from May to November, they seem to be especially numerous in May after trees are fully leaved out and while the spring flush of caterpillars is ravaging the foliage. Adults winter over, and they live up to 3 years. Eggs are placed one at a time in soil. Larvae also hunt caterpillars and climb trees and shrubs in search of prey. They pupate in earthen cells.” http://entomology.uark.edu/museum/cathunt.html
I found a lichen-covered branch in the yard, set the beetle and branch up, and vanished into a world of color, depth, and detail. The beetle may have died years ago, but his green shell is just as brilliant today, and he gave me a day of pleasure and focus as I pondered and painted.
Maybe “just” a bug, but also a shining example of the abundant beauty God lavishes on his world for us to see and enjoy.
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. Genesis 1:31+022109.jpg?w=530)
And the bugs relaxed and thought:
“If HE says so….then we are OK”