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A species of small black Pygmy Mole Cricket (Tridactylidae). I believe this is an adult as this is one of the largest one around. The average body length for an imago is about 5mm. Their legs are fairly large in comparison to it's whole body. You can see 4 cercus at it's abdomen tip. They are found abundantly near natural surface water deposits like rivers, ponds, streams.
Near natural surface fresh water like rivers, ponds, streams, (ditches too). This one lives on the sandy river banks in an palm plantation located along Kuhara Road, Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia.
I realized that this species is common around the warm region of Sabah. Their black body with some creamy brown marks might serve them in camouflage. Take this individual that I found as an example, it's colours match it's surroundings - sands, black sand grains (tiny black stones), black iron dusts. Try testing yourself out whether you can spot it against the sandy ground in the last photo. >>>Map accuracy : 150m diameter.
Spotted on Oct 2, 2011
Submitted on Dec 12, 2011
3 Comments
Thanks StarLeaf and Leuba for your comments.
It was not very difficult to spot these crickets around here despite of their tiny size.
They can be found jumping in numbers around ponds and rivers here if they are disturbed - for example if a person walk past by.
I've traced this spotting back through two other spottings - what fantastic pictures !! - very interesting CXW. How on earth did you spot these ?. They do seem to have powerful legs..
You've also helped others with the ID -good work CXW !
Thanks for sharing this spotting. Finally I can see this insect up-close. It has an interesting rear-end....