[1] These mites are characterized by a very small size (about 600–900 μm in length) and a close association to arthropods, mainly insects.

A morphologically specialized instar, the deutonymph (earlier "hypopus"), is adapted to attach to arthropods for phoretic transport from one habitat to another.

The mites use various insect groups as phoretic carriers[2][3] such as beetles, flies and Hymenoptera (ants, bees and wasps).

In all species, the digitus mobilis of the chelicera is reduced to small rests, and the distal pedipalp article is connected to a more or less complex membranous structure.

[4] Habitats colonized by these mites include animal dung, compost,[2] water-filled tree hollows and the fluids of Nepenthes and Sarracenia pitcher plants.