They belong to the typical fly suborder Brachycera as can be seen by their short antennae, and more precisely they are members of the section Schizophora.

Larval stages are poorly known, but those described are slender, narrowed anteriorly, with groups of ventral spicules on creeping welts.

[citation needed] The larvae are microbial grazers found in abundance in many microenvironments with decomposing organic material.

[3] Although their reclusive habits preclude a major role in disease transmission; some can present a public health hazard on occasion or act as a warning of one.

[4] Some species occasionally reach high population levels in food-processing plants and other buildings where they may indicate blocked drains, waste accumulation and inadequate hygiene.

Sphaeoceridae often coexist with muscoids especially Fannia canicularis and Musca domestica in the complex manure ecosystem of poultry houses, and other confined-animal facilities.