Melophorus perthensis

Field furnace ant at Bruce, ACT

Melophorus perthensis at Bruce, ACT - 14 Dec 2021 12:02 PM
Melophorus perthensis at Bruce, ACT - 14 Dec 2021 12:02 PM
Melophorus perthensis at Bruce, ACT - 14 Dec 2021 12:02 PM
Melophorus perthensis at Bruce, ACT - 14 Dec 2021 12:02 PM
Melophorus perthensis at Bruce, ACT - 14 Dec 2021 12:02 PM
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Identification history

Melophorus perthensis 9 Jan 2022 JonLewis
Melophorus rufoniger 8 Jan 2022 AlisonMilton

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User's notes

These ants were busy re-excavating their home.

2 comments

JonLewis wrote:
   9 Jan 2022
Hi Alison, good ID on the Melophorus, but it is the other common(ish) species, M. perthensis. Melophorus rufoniger tends to have a dull look about it, rather than the shiny look of M. perthensis. You can also see in your photos the shape of the propodeum (the saddle at the back part of the main body) which is relatively short and flat on the back, while for M. rufoniger it is longer and more rounded. Cheers, Jon
AlisonMilton wrote:
   9 Jan 2022
Thanks Jon

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Additional information

  • 5mm to 12mm Animal size

Species information

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