The genus is known from the coasts of Sri Lanka, Thailand and East India, and is closely related to Argyrochlamys and Pseudargyrochlamys.

Species of Phoomyia appear to be restricted to sandy ocean beaches, where they are often found near the burrows of ghost crabs.

Their bodies have a non-metallic coloring with dense grey pruinosity, and their legs are yellow.

[1] The generic name Phoomyia is a combination of Phoo, derived from the Thai word ปู ("crab"), and myia, derived from the Greek word μυία ("fly").

This article related to members of the fly family Dolichopodidae is a stub.