Adult asteiids are minute to small (1–3 millimeters) thin-bodied and delicate (often weakly sclerotized) flies, with yellow-black or dark colours.

See [1] Adults are often found on flowers and low vegetation but have been collected at windows indoors and on tree wounds.

Adults of the species Astiosoma rufifrons Duda are attracted to wood ash after bonfires especially at evening.

Larval biologies are unknown, but adults have been reared from fungi (Leiomyza), stalks of Cannabis sativa, flower buds, and dried reed stems.

Available online at the Core Historical Literature of Agriculture, Albert R. Mann Library, Cornell University.