They have a worldwide distribution and were originally elevated to full family status as the Oedipodidae.

[2] Many species primarily inhabit xeric weedy fields, and some are considered to be important locusts: These grasshoppers often have colorful hindwings that may be yellow or red and edged with black.

Brunner von Wattenwyl 1893; distribution: Africa, Europe, Asia through to New Caledonia Auth.

Brunner von Wattenwyl 1893[5] (synonym Parapleuri); distribution: N. America, Europe, Asia Auth.

Otte, 1995; distribution: N. America (monotypic tribe) The genus Cibolacris was originally placed in Oedipodinae, and later moved to Gomphocerinae.

The genus Stethophyma is traditionally included in Oedipodinae, but North American authors in particular sometimes place it in the Gomphocerinae or Acridinae.