[2][5] Flies in this genus can be distinguished from other genera in the family Acroceridae by the following combination of characteristics: Adult Ogcodes are small to medium in size, with rounded heads and abdomens.

[7] They are often brown or black in color, with a pale horizontal band at the posterior edge of each abdominal tergite.

If a host is found, the larva will typically enter it through the abdomen, or occasionally through the intersegmental membranes of the legs.

They have not been observed feeding, though it is possible that the oral membrane in place of functioning mouthparts may be used to collect moisture from the air.

[2] Several species within the genus can develop in spiders from three or more different taxonomic families, namely O. adaptus, O. dispar, O. eugonatus, and O.

[9] Despite sharing morphological characteristics with the acrocerid genus Pterodontia, such as having antennae located on the ventral surface of the head and reduced mouthparts, molecular data indicates that these two genera are not particularly closely related.

Ogcodes is cosmopolitan in distribution, Protogcodes is endemic to Australia, and Neogcodes is restricted to the Nearctic.