The genus is distinctive because of the swollen raptorial forelegs.

[3] The species Ochthera chalybescens has been shown to prey on African malaria vectors .

[6] Spreading and waving of the foreleg is involved in same sex encounters as well as with male and female pairs during approach.

Adult Ochthera mantis have been noted to probe sand with their proboscis and when they detect prey such as chirononomid larvae, they are excavated using the fore tibial spines and held between the tibia and femora as the prey is consumed.

This article related to members of the muscomorph flies superfamily Ephydroidea is a stub.