The large (up to 7 cm) glossy black insects are the most common and well-known members of the family.

The adults drink nectar, and they live in crop fields, woods, and suburban gardens throughout North, Central, and South America.

They are parasitoids that lay their eggs directly into grubs of the June beetle (genus Phyllophaga) buried in the soil.

Some populations of Pelecinus polyturator are parthenogenic; females do not require fertilization by males to reproduce.

Females are common throughout its range, but males are rare in the United States and Canada specially in some populations, and more prevalent further south.