Melophorus perthensis

This subspecies is common in the sandy portions of King's Park, Perth, which may be regarded as the type-locality. Like most other species of Melophorus it makes flat, excentric crater nests. (Wheeler 1934)

Identification
The worker major of the subspecies aesopus Forel from Central Australia differs from that of perthensis in not having the scapes reaching beyond the posterior border of the head, the eyes are nearer the middle of the sides and the gaster is less metallic. (Wheeler 1934)

Distribution
Heterick (2009) - Broad distribution in WA, though they have most often been collected in the southwest of the State.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Australasian Region: Australia.

Biology
Heterick (2009) - Familiar to many Perth city dwellers, even those without an entomological interest. This species is the Melophorus most commonly seen in and around the city in summer, when it is active on sandy verges, urban dune systemsand backyards. The amount of sand displaced by this ant is considerable. Workers can often be seen taking grass seeds, other plant material and occasionally small carrion back to their nests. Under a microscope, workers of this species can be identified by their bulbous mesonotum.

Nomenclature

 *  perthensis. Melophorus turneri subsp. perthensis Wheeler, W.M. 1934d: 152 (s.w.) AUSTRALIA.

Worker
minor Length 3-3.5 mm.

Very similar to the worker major but the smaller head is proportionally narrower, being about one-fourth broader than long. Antennal scapes extending nearly half their length beyond its posterior border. Promesonotum less, base of epinatum more convex, the latter longer in proportion to the declivity. Petiolar scale decidedly thicker, lower and blunter, scarcely produced at the summit, which is impressed but not emarginate.

Sculpture and pilosity as in the worker major; head, thorax and petiole, darker and more brown, as are also the appendages.

major Length 4.5-5 mm.

Very similar to the subspecies Melophorus turneri candidus from Victoria but somewhat larger, with mandibles more strongly bent at the base, antennal scapes extending somewhat more than twice their greatest diameter beyond the posterior border of the head and the clypeal border more produced in the middle and not emarginate. Petiolar scale prolonged and narrowed upward, with distinctly emarginate superior border. Epinotal base and declivity forming a distinct obtuse angle in profile, the former convex: and little more than half as long as the straight, sloping declivity. Pilosity much less developed than in candidus, absent on thorax and petiole and very short and sparse on the legs, the tibiae with a row of four or five bristles on their flexor surface-so Head, thorax, petiole, coxae and antennae ,brownish red or reddish brown, legs brighter yellow or less reddish than in candidus. Gaster with metallic blue-green reflections which are quite as vivid as in the typical turneri, posterior edges of segments yellowish.