[3] Austroplebeia are more closely related to the African stingless bees than rest of the species found in Asia and Australia.

[4] The species of Austroplebeia are difficult to separate reliably by body size or morphology[5] except for A. cincta which can be distinguished readily by its colouration and pilosity.

This has hindered taxonomic studies to date and no workable key exists for the Austroplebeia species.

[3] Most species construct their nests largely from wax, unlike most stingless bees, they use propolis sparingly.

They construct a fine, lacy curtain of resin droplets over their nest entrance at night in order to protect against ants and other predators.