This is one of the least studied of the large Diptera families, probably due to the small size of these insects and the similarity among species.

They are distributed through wind and drifting, for example on dead wood, and are often introduced by humans, by means of transported humus or similar.

Sciarid larvae often occur in decaying plant matter such as rotten wood or under the bark of fallen trees, but can also be found in animal feces or fungi.

[2] The species Austrosciara termitophila is an inquiline in termite nests while the genus Vulagisciara is a guest in ant-plants of family Rubiaceae.

Sciaridae practice paternal genome elimination, whereby the male passes on only the genetic material of his mother to his offspring.

[7] Sciarids are fairly common in amber deposits, with the earliest known fossils dating from the Cretaceous period.

[8] Sciarid flies are common pests of mushroom houses and of plants grown in protected culture, for example herbs, where the warm and moist conditions favour their rapid development.

In both industries, adult sciarid flies are a nuisance pest that can result in crop rejection if high numbers are present in the growing area.

The damaging larval stage can be controlled using the beneficial nematode Steinernema feltiae, which enters the larva and releases a bacterium (Xenorhabdus sp.)