Over 70 species in about 15 genera are found in the temperate regions of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Adults have been found on flowers and low-hanging branches in shady habits.

Known larvae are phytophagous or carnivorous (some species preying on beetles of the families Cerambycidae and Scolytidae.

One species is recorded as preying on larvae of the family Cecidomyiidae.

For terms see Morphology of Diptera They are medium-sized or relatively small flies, they have spots on their wings (dark smoky apical spot in Palloptera ustulata).