Written by This uncommon creature has an official name that sounds like one of Harry Potter’s spells, but it is sometimes called a treehopper or thorn bug. This delightfully strange bug has scientists rather baffled as there hasn’t been a ton of intense research on them, though they believe it to be closely related to the cicada. Though other thorn bugs have a shape that looks like, well thorns, this one seems to be sporting a strange helmet that appears to be more of a fashion statement than good camouflage.
Like other bugs, they use their sharp mouthparts to pierce plants and stems and suck the sap inside them. Because of their sweet diet, like aphids, they produce a sugary excrement which ants really love called honeydew. Sorry for that unfortunate information. Now, next time you try eating that melon, you’ll be thinking of bug crap. Because of this relationship, the ants become very protective of their treehoppers, and if you try to take one away from them they’ll attack you. They’re sort of like treehopper bodyguards, only with an awkward habit of eating their employer’s poop.
Although related to the loud cicadas, the treehoppers use vibrations to communicate that are inaudible to humans. Unlike some bugs, the mothers will actually stick around after their children are born and chat with them and guard them as they grow up. But there’s still much to learn about these creatures, particularly the uncommon versions like the one shown here, so that’s all I have to share on this one. More unusual creatures ahead and if you have an idea for one, as always, let me know if the comments!
About the Doodlewash
M. Graham watercolors: Permanent Green Pale, Azo Yellow, Pyrrol Red, Perylene Maroon, Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine Blue, Cobalt Teal, Neutral Tint and Titanium White Gouache. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon black ink in a 5″ x 8″ 140 lb. (300 gsm) Pentalic Aqua Journal
Very strange indeed. I like how you were able to acheive the iridescent colors. Beautiful painting today, Charlie. I started ready this while eating! Hahaha.
Thanks Sharon!! 😃💕 And oh no!!! I’m sorry!! I should have out a warning at the top! Lol Glad you liked the colors…that’s what attracted me to this strange little thing! Hehe
I can’t get beyond the poop eating employees. Weird Charlie, really weird…and as for the melon, urgh.
It’s a brilliant painting but such a weird bug.
Haha! 😊Yeah…sometimes I just say whatever pops into my head and well…that happens. Thanks, Cathe! 😃💕Glad you liked the doodlewash!!
Oh my… I don’t even know where to begin with this one, Charlie, but it’s a spectacular doodlewash! It made me sit up on seeing it – bewilderment and wonder in equal measure. 😉 Those colours are intense!
Thanks Jacob!! I love these colorful creatures, but they are super weird. Nature plays some strange tricks and has quite a sense of humor! But I love color, so this thing just had to be doodlewashed!! Hehe
Very cool! They do look like cicadas! It’s amazing how they can form “friendships” with other creatures! I love the colors you used.. And yes, I’ll be thinking about them when I have honeydews.. Lol’❤️😜
Thanks Kari!! 😃💕And haha!! Sorry…you’ll never think of honeydew in the same way again!! 😊
Interesting, that just confirms why I wash any melon no matter what kind or where from. Great stuff Charlie! 🙂
Thanks Susan!! 😃💕 Glad you liked this one! And lol… Yeah…I really really wish they didn’t call it that! Ewwww!!
Great colors! Thanks for making me laugh! 🙂 I will never see a honeydew melon the same way….haha!
Hehe!! Thanks Jill!! 💕😃Me either! I’m learning so much I wished I hadn’t on this journey! Lol
It’s an ant pet! I love it. And the name is as good as the drawing! (K)
Aren’t they cool, Kerfe? The name really sold me! Lol… It really does sound like a spell or something!
Eating their employers’ poop…hahaha! Treehoppers are funky. We don’t see them too often but it’s probably a good thing since they can damage plants. Love your doodlewash of this bugger! 😄💙 You make things seem iridescent!
Thanks Teresa!! 😃💕 Glad you liked this…the colors were fun to do on this one. I love iridescence! And yeah…this is writing when you don’t have an editor external or internal! 😊haha
LOL! Well, your “speaking your mind” is far more endearing than a certain presidential candidate’s “speaking his mind” that’s for sure! x
Yeah… it helps to have a brain when you do it. 😉
Seriously!
What a strange little guy. Darn … I love melon!
Haha…sorry to put these thoughts in your head Carmel…melons are still totally fine to consume!! Just an unfortunate naming for bug poop. Lol😉👍🏻
Yup, weird. And beautifully colored.
Sums it up! lol Thanks so much Teri! 😃💕
This is a weird one, love the fact this little tree dweller has found its own protection, but also a way to live very cleanly, now that’s a way to control ants….or are the ants controlling it? Great doodlewash, love the colours.
Thanks Rebecca!! 😃💕Ohhhh good question!! I don’t know who’s really in charge…the treehopper or the ants. Guess, like married couples, it would all depend on which one you ask! Hehe
Good one, I need to start looking for some ants then, lol, perfect match!
wacky bug! wonderfully painted!!
Thanks Debi!! 😃💕Wacky is an awesome word for this guy!! Lol
no worries Charlie! 🙂 he’s very ‘cute’
I love the way its legs seem to be just at the right angle and wrap around the metal thing it’s standing on so perfectly. Nicely done!
Thanks so much!! 😃💕 Sometimes those little legs creep me out to paint when I think of the real life version. Hehe…I don’t love bugs as much in person! Lol
yeah….me neither. But I can’t help thinking from an aesthetic point of view, those little creatures can be so pretty. I only recently started looking into it too for future art projects and I never stop being amazed at the variety of colors they carry on them. This said, I wouldn’t want one 🙂
hehe… I agree! I’m good with just looking at them!
Gee, I thought it was a fish gone wrong and that you’d made it all up in your fantasy brain! LOL. Love the iridescence…well done!
Thanks Janina!! 😃💕haha…yeah…many of these seem like fantasy creatures, but they’re all weirdly real!
Well it is a face only a mother could love! But still beautifully painted.
Jean-Paul
Thanks!! Lol…true…not the cutest face on the planet. But I like the colors!
LOL and beautifully done! Love the EYES! Terrific perspective in this too. Wonderful colors. Score! 😀
Thanks Laura!! 😃💜Bug eyes are kind of fun to paint! Lol I remember back when I doodlewashed a fly that the eyes are my fave even on bugs. But I don’t like them in person!! Lol
I remember that fly!!! Yes! LOL You know the locusts that come every 17 years? This creature reminds me of those. lol.
They’d be fun to doodlewash as well! It’s such much less gross as a painting! hehe
I love the tail thing and the small wings! I want one!
Thanks!! Hehe…head to southern Florida and you could probably snag one. Just beware of the ants!! 😳lol
Some like it hot
some like it cold
some like it in the pot
nine days old
Now here’s the scoop
ants don’t care
they’ll eat it anywhere
yummy Thorn Bug poop
poop poop de do
LOL… a little poop in a pome this time around? Who knew it would come to this! Love it!
I’ve never seen or heard of this one, Charlie… nor the cicada! I like learning new things. Thank you!
Thanks Tom!! Glad you enjoyed this one…I had never heard of it before either. Weird little bugs!!
these are very cool animals you should see the colors it is beuitiful make more more of this fantastic brilliant animal
Thanks so much!! 😃💕 I’m so happy you enjoyed this sketch!!
You capture the pearlescent colors so well in this painting Charlie! Ant’s have “ranched” many a bug. They actually squeeze aphids for their milk. Got Milk! (imagine an ant with a milk stache!)
Hey there Joe! Thanks so much! 😃 Lol… Oh my… now I just want to illustrate an ant with a milk stache! Lol Too funny… and I weirdly talked about aphids in my most recent post and how they sneak into our food. It’s lunch time hear and I’m suddenly less hungry. 😳