They are distinguished from the sac spiders of the family Clubionidae and other spiders by having the abdominal spiracle placed one third to one half of the way anterior to the spinnerets toward the epigastric furrow on the underside of the abdomen.

Like clubionids, anyphaenids have conical anterior spinnerets and are wandering predators that build silken retreats, or sacs, usually on plant terminals, between leaves, under bark or under rocks.

The family is widespread and includes such common genera as Anyphaena (worldwide except tropical Africa and Asia) and Hibana (New World).

Species in the latter genus are important predators in several agricultural systems, especially tree crops.

As of January 2023[update], the World Spider Catalog accepts the following genera:[1]