Conopidae are flies of variable size, ranging from 4 to 25 mm. Some of them have a wasp-like appearance while others are reddish or greyish. They can be recognized by characters in the wing: the narrowed or closed cell R5 and the presence of a long anal cell (except Dalmanniinae). Many species have an elongated snout, which is bend under the head. Adult Conopidae are nectar feeders, while the larvae are endoparasites of mainly Hymenoptera aculeata (social wasps, bees and bumble bees).
Wing of Conopidae with cell R and anal cell a marked.
