[1][2] Helotidae are found mainly in the Old World tropics and are absent from Australia and Madagascar.

The antennae are clubbed on the final three segments and is retractable within grooves under the head.

[3] Helotids are known to be associated with sap, fruit and flowers, and the larvae of some species are known to bore into wood in order to pupate.

[4] A few fossil genera have been described including Palaeohelota from the Lower Cretaceous (Aptian) Yixian Formation in China, Burmahelota, Metahelotella and Trihelota from the Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian) Burmese amber of Northern Myanmar.

Another fossil genus Laodiscis placed in this family originally is now considered of uncertain taxonomic position.