Coleoptera

Early in the morning I found this handsome critter clinging to a piece of embroidery I had left by a lamp. Evidently he had come in during the night, attracted by the light which had been left on. He clung to my finger with his strong scratchy feet as I carried him outside. . .

. . . and decanted him onto the lily leaf. Such a good-sized beetle, and so attractive with his mocha coloring and evenly placed black dots. If Coco Chanel had been into designing beetles, this might have been one of hers.

I found out that he's a Grapeleaf or Grapevine Beetle -- which makes sense as we have wild grapevines growing not for from the house. And he's welcome to all he wants to eat.

A close look reveals that he is "fearfully and wonderfully made . . ." What a beauty!