[3][5] Various species of Calliphoridae, Oestridae and Sarcophagidae have larvae that parasitise vertebrates, causing myiasis.

[1] A 2012 molecular analysis placed the superfamily within a paraphyletic Muscoidea, and also confirmed the monophyly of Oestroidea and of most of its families (except Calliphoridae).

[2][5] The earliest known fossil of Oestroidea is of a Mesembrinellidae found in Dominican amber from the Miocene.

The Oestroidea in general are believed to have originated 48.2 million years ago.

[2] Many species of Oestroidea are of forensic importance due to feeding on decomposing animals, including humans.