Dolichopodidae generally are small flies with large, prominent eyes and a metallic cast to their appearance, though there is considerable variation among the species.

In most species the mouthparts are short and have a wide aperture as an adaptation for sucking small prey.

There are two veins branching from cross-vein DM-Cu in the direction of the wing margin; the upper one in some species curves strongly or forks into M1 and M2.

The genitalia of the male often are free and borne on a petiole, with tergite 8 being asymmetrical, lying on the left side of the epandrium.

The flies occur in a wide range of habitats, near water or in meadows, woodland edges and in gardens.

A small number of species develop on the shores of saline inland bodies of water or the intertidal zone of seashores.

An example of a species that develop close to water is P. nobilitatus, they can be found congregating around lakes and ponds.

Adults often are seen in a characteristic predatory posture standing high on their legs on the ground or on vegetation, tree trunks or rocks, and some species walk about on the surface of still water.

The adults are predators, feeding on small invertebrates including Collembola, aphids, and the larvae of Oligochaeta.

Larvae of the genus Thrypticus are unusual among Dolichopodidae, in that they are phytophagous and live in the stems of reeds and other monocots near water.

[citation needed] Many studies have shown that Dolichopodidae give visual, rather than chemical or other signals during courtship.

Dolichopodids are well represented in amber deposits throughout the world and the group has clearly been well distributed globally, at least since the Cretaceous.

Atelestinae Nemedininae Bicellariinae Hybotinae Oedaleinae Ocydromiinae Trichininae Tachydromiini Symballaphthalmini Drapetini Dolichopodidae Iteaphilinae Ragadinae Clinocerinae Brachystomatini Ceratomerini Trichopezini Chelipodini Empidini Hemerodromiini Hilarini