The flies in this large family are commonly found on flowers, where they are sometimes confused with bees and wasps. Some species are smooth and others hairy, and they are black or brown, sometimes with white, yellow or orange markings.
They may be recognized by their way of hovering and their colourful markings. The adults are usually 10 to 20 mmm long. The larvae vary in appearance depending on the species.
This family contains flies that resemble bees or some species of wasps, but especially honeybees: their bodies are covered in a hairy integument, like soft fur, in various colours depending on the species. The single pair of wings often has dark markings. These insects are 4 to 40 mm long.
These oval-shaped insects are slate grey to black, 7.5 to 11 mm long, with elbowed antennae. Their elytra (wing covers) are covered with tiny concave areas and patches of short grey or yellow hairs and golden “scales.” They are flightless, since the elytra are fused, but can run quickly.
The legless larvae are creamy white with light brown heads.
This large reddish-brown leaf-footed bug is 15 to 20 mm long. It has broad tibiae on its hind legs and its slightly thickened forewings have a fairly distinct white zigzag marking.
These crickets may be various shades of yellow, green and brown. Their legs are often reddish, with black joints on the hindlegs.
The males are smaller than the females: 12 to 20 mm long for the males and 20 to 35 for the females. The males’ wings are long, reaching to the tip of the abdomen, while the wings of the flightless females cover only three-quarters of the abdomen. They have fairly short, thread-like antennae.
These green crickets are 40 to 52 mm long. When populations are dense, it may be possible to find some yellow or bright pink individuals. As in other members of the Tettigoniidae, their antennae are longer than their bodies. The oblong, fairly wide wings also extend past the abdomen. The head is rounded on top and there is a large space between the antennae at their base. The legs are long.
The female has a laterally flattened ovipositor (egg-laying organ).
These beetles are recognizable by their bright metallic colours. The head and thorax are usually green, and the elytra (wing covers) are copper. There are five small tufts of white hair on either side of the abdomen. They reach 12 mm long.
The white grubs have brown heads and three sets of legs. They adopt a crescent-shaped position in the soil, and may be up to 32 mm long.
Pigeon tremex look like long, cylindrical wasps. The thorax is reddish-brown and the abdomen is marked with yellow and black bands. The wings vary from golden brown to black. The adults of both sexes have pointed appendages at the end of the abdomen. The females also have a long, slender egg-laying organ, called an ovipositor. The adults are from 2.5 to 5 cm long, with the females slightly larger than the males.
The white larvae, 5 cm long, have light brown heads and a black spine at the tip of the abdomen. Their legs are relatively undeveloped.
Horntails are related to wasps. The adults have thick, cylindrical black or metallic blue bodies from 2.5 to 4 cm long. The males are generally smaller, but more colourful than females. They sometimes have yellow or red markings. They have four translucent wings, and are powerful, skilful fliers. Their name comes from the horn-shaped appendage at the end of the abdomen, on both sexes. The females also have a long, slender egg-laying organ called an ovipositor, at the tip of the abdomen. The soft, whitish larvae can be up to 4.5 cm in length
These wasps are black with yellow spots. They have a narrow waist (pedicel) about the same length as the rest of the abdomen. They range in total length from 24 to 28 mm.
