They are one of the smallest stingless bees in Australia [3] and can survive in very arid areas with annual rainfalls down to 300 mm.

[4] The name 'essingtoni' was given because the first specimens were collected from Port Essington on the north coast of Arnhem Land, Australia in 1840.

[4] Their colouring varies, workers in the Hamersley Ranges are brighter, with pale yellow bands on the thorax, legs and abdomen as well as bright patterns on the lower face.

Similar to A. cassiae and A. magna, A. essingtoni builds a short nest entrance tunnel.

The pollen and honey is stored in spherical or oval shaped pots with thin walls.