Adults are found during the winter season in forested environments, where they can be observed walking across the surface of the snow.

Many species live at high elevations, with some examples of C. nigra found in the Rocky Mountains above 3400 m.[2] Adults seem to actively seek out the coldest place they can find and drink water by pressing their proboscis against the snow (Marchand, 1917).

Adults are often found in motion as they move across the surface of the snow, walking at speeds near their peak velocity.

[2] The winglessness of the genus is probably attributable to the fact that at sub-freezing temperatures, it is challenging to generate energy required for maintaining flight.

The diet of larvae likely consists of decomposing organic debris, such as decaying leaves, grass stems, and rodent feces found in burrows.

[3] In experiments conducted in laboratory environments, Chionea are active and alive until the temperature drops to a mean low of -7°C, their supercooling point.

[2][10] It has been speculated that the female nematode lays this ring around the fly's neck when it emerges from the pupa and cannot yet move properly.