Numbers
Only six species in three genera in North America.
They are very rare.
Identification
Bee like appearance and loud buzz. Bristles lacking but body is covered with hair-like setae.
Branches of the medial vein join before the apical margin and end toward the front margin of the wing before the apex.
Range
Western USA and Canada. Most common in Southwestern USA.
Habitat
Adults are often observed on flowers.
Life Cycle
Larvae are endoparasitoids of either grasshoppers or scarab beetles.
Remarks
Some are considered important in the control of grasshopper populations.
The individual I was shooting was making a buzzing sound almost as loud as a Bombus or Robber Fly, but a different pitch. I don't know if that is for all species in this family or not. - Will
