Their body, legs and wings are covered in many setae which (in males) are often pigmented, resulting in colour patterns.

[6] Unlike in other subfamilies of Psychodidae, the abdomen ends in a tubular siphon tipped with spiracles.

[6] Most are detritivores in marginal freshwater habitats such as the edges of springs and streams, waterlogged soils and phytotelmata.

[6] They also occur in leaf litter, compost, decaying wood, fungal fruiting bodies, dung, carrion, caves, drains and sewage pipes.

Many Psychodinae also have specialised secondary sexual characteristics for release and detection of chemical cues.