[2] The workers (3.6-4.3mm) are pale brown with sides of the thorax (Mesopleuron and metapleuron) densely and evenly covered with fine, short hair.

Male drone body colour is very similar to the workers.

[2] T. mellipes is distinctly smaller than the sympatric T. hockingsi in most characters.

However, it is similar to the apparently allopatric T. carbonaria, except it has shorter wings.

[3] T. mellipes can be found nesting in small cavities inside trees and stone walls.