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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