Family members are commonly known as flat bugs due to their dorsoventrally flattened bodies.

Some species have short or reduced wings and they are often appear to have rough surface made from layers of fine debris held by hairs.

Adults have long coiled maxillary and mandibular stylets that may be five times the length of the body when uncoiled during feeding.

The legs are sometimes modified for stridulation with scrapers on the femur and files on the tibia.

[2] Most family members are thought to be mycophagous (fungus eating), but little is known of the feeding habits of most species.