Melissotarsus emeryi

Many workers and several queens nest under the bark of a a tree tunneling their galleries in live wood, close to the surface. They tend armoured scale insects and only depart from their nest for mating flights.

Identification
This species can be identified by the abrupt anterior edge of the pronotum in dorsal and lateral view. Some individuals seem intermediate between those of emeryi and those of Melissotarsus beccarii, and in consequence are difficult to place.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, Zambia. Palaearctic Region: Ethiopia.

Nomenclature

 *  emeryi. Melissotarsus emeryi Forel, 1907c: 133 (w.) ETHIOPIA. Bolton, 1982: 335 (m.). Senior synonym of compressus, pilipes: Bolton, 1982: 337.
 * pilipes. Melissotarsus emeryi var. pilipes Santschi, 1914b: 71 (w.) KENYA. Junior synonym of emeryi: Bolton, 1982: 337.
 * compressus. Melissotarsus compressus Weber, 1952: 1, figs. 28, 29 (q.) CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC. Junior synonym of emeryi: Bolton, 1982: 337.

Worker
Bolton (1982) - TL 2.5-3.4, HL 0.66-0.88, HW 0.70-0.90, CI 100-105, SL 0.30-0.38, SI 39-43, PW 0.37-0.57, AL 0.62-0.88 (13 measured).

Answering to the description of Melissotarsus beccarii but with the anterior pronotal margin in dorsal view separated from the anterior declivity by a well defined angle or edge.