Welcome to the Conopidae of the WorldThe
Conopidae are a small but interesting family of parasitic flies placed in the arguably
paraphyletic subsection Acalyteratae, in the
Section Schizophora (Gibson et al, 2012). Conopids can be found worldwide
except for some of the Pacific Islands and the Poles. At present there are an
estimated 800+ recognized species. They are highly variable
in appearance, from striking yellow and orange stripes and bands, to dull brown
or black and without maculation. They tend to resemble their hosts, usually
wasps and bees. Only Stylogaster vary from this and appear to specialize on orthopteroid
families and possibly Diptera.
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