Meet the artist: Grant Menzies Hey everyone, and welcome to all my new followers! Thought it was time you got to know a little more about the person behind all the bug art: A Scottish born artist living in Sweden 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🤍🇸🇪 I’ve been drawing since I could hold a crayon (probably ate a few back then too), mostly inspired by nature, flora and fauna. But trips to the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh ignited a lifelong fascination with insects, especially for beetles! 🪲 After studying art in high school and illustration in college, life took a bit of a detour. But in 2023, I rediscovered my passion for drawing and Coleoptera.art was born! ✨ My medium of choice? Coloured pencils, all the way. I love the detail and the challenge of creating photorealistic art. Seeing those tiny details come to life is pure magic. ✏️ Fun fact: I actually collect my own insect specimens (mostly beetles, of course!) to use as inspiration and reference for my drawings. When I’m not covered in pencil dust I work in commercial property management as a digital marketer, chill in front of my aquarium at home (been a fish-keeper most of my life), or I’m out on the golf course making some divots and hopefully a few pars! Oh, and did I forget? I also published a children’s book a few years back, with another one in the works! Check it out here @conniebooks And yes. I love the band Teenage Fanclub! (But I’m actually more of a metal lover) 🎶🎸🤘 So, that’s me (in short)! Thanks for following along on my artistic journey. What are you curious about? Feel free to leave a comment below! . . . . . . . #meettheartist #insectart #coleoptera #colouredpencils #nature #illustration #scottishartist #scotland #sweden #scotlandmuseums #nationalmuseumofscotland #insectsofinstagram #bugart #aboutme #polychromos @nationalmuseumsscotland #teenagefanclub

Final Day at the Home & Living Trade Fair! 🏡✨ It’s the second and final day of the Home and Living Trade Fair here in Nyköping! If you haven’t stopped by yet, now’s your last chance. My stall is packed with nature-inspired art, including posters, original artwork, postcards, mugs and framed insects. And for something extra special… I have two incredible beetle species on display, making a rare appearance! If you’re curious about these fascinating creatures, come take a closer look. Looking forward to meeting more of you today—let’s make the last day a great one! 🪲 📍 Find me at stall B:19 ⏳ Open between 10 - 16 today (16 March) @nykoping_oxelosund_bomassa #HomeAndLivingFair #ArtAndNature #BeetleArt #FramedInsects #Nyköping

Exciting News! 🪲✨ This weekend, March 15-16, I’ll be showcasing and selling my framed insect displays at Nyköpings Bomässa! Each frame features meticulously preserved beetles (and one stunning bee!), perfect for collectors, nature lovers, or anyone who appreciates the beauty of insects. Whether you’re looking for a unique piece of decor or a special gift, these frames highlight the incredible diversity of the insect world. Come by, say hi, and take a closer look at these fascinating specimens! Looking forward to seeing you there. 📍 Nyköpings Bomässa 📅 March 15-16 #FramedInsects #BeetleArt #NaturalHistory #Entomology #HomeDecor #NyköpingsBomässa @nykoping_oxelosund_bomassa

Pinning a Rainbow Milkweed Locust 🦗🌈✨ This incredible locust from Madagascar looks like a living piece of art with its bold colors and striking patterns. In this sped-up clip, I’m pinning it to preserve its shape and display its details. 𝘗𝘩𝘺𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘶𝘴 𝘴𝘢𝘹𝘰𝘴𝘶𝘴 feeds on toxic milkweed, making it poisonous to predators—an amazing example of nature’s defense strategies! Such a vibrant and fascinating species—have you ever seen a locust this colourful? Let me know what you think! 💬 #Entomology #InsectCollection #PhymateusSaxosus #RainbowMilkweedLocust #BugPinning #MadagascarWildlife

✨ Bringing Nature to Life, One Stroke at a Time ✨ Hi, I’m Grant Menzies, the artist behind @coleoptera.art—a space where beetles, insects, and the small wonders of nature take center stage. 🪲🦋 🌺🌿 Ever since I can remember, I’ve been captivated by the tiny details of the natural world. My journey into entomology art started about 1.5 years ago when I stumbled into the enchanting realm of beetles. Since then, I’ve been illustrating these incredible creatures with my trusty Polychromos pencils, celebrating their vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and undeniable charm. Beyond my illustrations, I also keep and care for real beetles—because what better way to understand these creatures than to live alongside them? From tiny Pachnoda larvae growing into stunning adults to magnificent Savage Flower Beetles, beetle keeping has deepened my appreciation for these often-overlooked insects. In my Etsy shop, you’ll find Fine Art Prints, Posters, Postcards, Mugs, and Original Artwork—each piece a tribute to the intricate beauty of nature. Whether you’re an insect enthusiast, a fellow artist, or just someone who finds joy in the small things, I hope my work inspires a sense of wonder. Let’s connect over our shared love for the tiny, fascinating details of the world! ✨ #ColeopteraArt #EntomologyArt #Illustration #Beetles #BeetleKeeping #Insects #Nature #FineArtPrints #PolychromosPencils #TheSmallThings

“Småkryp” – the tiny wonders of nature 🪲✨ Meet Stictoleptura rubra, a striking longhorn beetle often overlooked but full of beauty. With its elegant reddish-brown body and long antennae, it plays an important role in our ecosystems, helping to break down dead wood and keep forests thriving. Next time you see a småkryp like this, take a moment to appreciate the details—nature is full of masterpieces hidden in plain sight. 🌿🧡 #Småkryp #StictolepturaRubra #NatureDetails #BeetleArt #TinyWonders

A New Home Among Siblings 🪲✨ After a successful breeding project last year with my Savage Flower Beetles (Mecynorhina savagei), I’m now releasing one of the last offspring to emerge from her cocoon into the terrarium where her siblings live. She’s finally ready to join them, completing this generation of beetles I’ve raised. Watching them grow from tiny larvae into beautifully marked adults has been an incredible experience. Moments like these remind me why I love both entomology and illustrating nature’s tiny masterpieces. Do you keep or breed any beetles? Let’s talk insects in the comments! #Entomology #BeetleBreeding #SavageFlowerBeetle #InsectArt #NatureIllustration #Coleoptera #BeetleLover #WildlifeArt

My savage flower beetle is determined to take off—but let’s just say grace is not part of the plan! Watching these little tanks try to fly never gets old. #BeetleFails #SavageFlowerBeetle #ClumsyFlyer #InsectHumor #Coleoptera #BeetleLife #BugsofInstagram #FunnyInsects

New Specimen: European Stag Beetle (Lucanus cervus) I’m so happy to finally have a Lucanus cervus in my collection! This Ukrainian specimen, found dead in 2014, is in fantastic condition and will be a key reference for an upcoming illustration. Along with it, I also received a second specimen from France—though this one tells a different story. It bears the marks of a bird attack, a reminder of the challenges these beetles face in the wild. And as a bonus, I now also have a detached stag beetle head, which still showcases its impressive mandibles! Have you ever spotted a stag beetle in the wild? Let me know in the comments! 💬 Thanks to @carim_nahaboo for these! ✨ #StagBeetle #LucanusCervus #Entomology #InsectIllustration #BeetleArt

Weigh-in time! ⚖️🐛 Regular weight checks are essential for my Mecynorhinha torquata ugandensis (MTU) larvae to ensure they’re growing well and staying healthy. This little (or not-so-little) one is packing on the grams, and maybe around half way through its larval stage. MTU larvae go through three instars (growth stages) before they form a cocoon made of compacted substrate. Inside, they undergo an incredible transformation, pupating into their beetle form over several weeks. Once ready, the adult beetle emerges, displaying its striking pattern and colours! Can’t wait to see how this one turns out! 🪲✨ #BeetleLarvae #Coleoptera #BeetleGrowth #MTU #Mecynorhinha #InsectKeeping #Entomology

New Illustration – Oleander Hawkmoth 💚 The Oleander Hawkmoth is a true masterpiece of nature, with its striking green hues and intricate wing patterns that perfectly blend into its surroundings. This stunning moth, found across Europe, Africa, and Asia, is known for its bold camouflage and delicate beauty. I brought this piece to life using my trusty Polychromos colored pencils, carefully layering each shade to capture the moth’s velvety texture and detailed markings. Prints will be available this coming weekend in my shop! #OleanderHawkmoth #MothArt #InsectIllustration #Polychromos #NatureInspired #EtsyShop

Beetles shiny shell mystery ✨🪲 Nature never ceases to amaze! Recent studies are challenging what we once thought about beetle iridescence. While many believed these shiny exteriors provided camouflage, new insights suggest their dazzling glow might actually be a clever deception—possibly to confuse predators or signal in unexpected ways. Dive deeper into this captivating mystery and explore how the iridescent sheen of beetles might serve a more deceptive role than we ever imagined.👇 𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗨𝗣: 𝘒𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯 𝘒𝘫𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘴𝘮𝘰 𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘭, 𝘉𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘯𝘢ï𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘴, 𝘈𝘯𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘭 𝘉𝘦𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘳 (2022). Let’s celebrate nature’s complexity and keep questioning the world around us! #BeetleMystery #Iridescence #NatureRevealed #ScienceNews #Entomology #WildlifeWonder #CamouflageOrDeception #BioInspiration #SciComm #animalbehaviour