Adult wasps are black or brown, with threadlike waists and long legs and antennae. Larvae are tiny, cream-colored grubs. Larvae are legless and sluglike and may be translucent, gray or green. Larvae are alligator-shaped and mottled gray, with curved mandibles used to pierce the prey and suck their fluids.
Adults are black, blue-black, brown or reddish, usually with an iridescent sheen.
Larvae have long , segmented bodies and are cream, dark brown or black. Like adults, they are very fast. They are shield-shaped with spinelike shoulders. Nymphs are closer to oval shape, wingless and come in a variety of colors including black, orange, red or cream. Ladybirds have short legs and antennas.