I have found a few of these small Stonehoppers before on white sand. They hop and are very difficult to locate after they land as they sit very still. They also look very much like a piece of charcoal on the ground. ~1cm long.See photos of others I have found. ID: Cyphotettix camelus - Josip Skejo
This little stone hopper moved and attracted my attention. I had a chance of one good shot then it hopped away. It was so camouflaged I had no chance of seeing it again. I have looked out for it but not seen it. It is related to www.flickr.com/photos/jean_hort/7580870796/It is also very similar to one from South Australia Phanerocerus testudo.ID: Cyphotettix camelus - Josip Skejo
Poor little things. They hop around on the white sand and often when they land they fall over on their side and have to scrabble around to sit upright. They will often land near a tiny piece of grass at their head hoping you don't see them. They are difficult to see and look like a piece of stick on the ground.David Rentz, et al... mentions them in the book "A Guide to Australian Grasshoppers and Locusts" and that they are a favourite food of emus, who will stand around on the sand waiting for them to move. I think they would need other food as well. We only saw 2 on quite a large area of sand and there was 2 of us looking. :)Added note: There are other little insects in this sand area which would encourage the emus to feed here. I am often amazed to see birds feeding on ground where I could not see anything for them to eat. View On Black
