It includes the cosmopolitan families of Sphaeroceridae (small dung flies), Heleomyzidae, and Chyromyidae, as well as a few smaller groups.

For example, Sphaeroceridae have black wings with an interrupted costa, and the first tarsomere of the hind leg is short and thick.

[6] Larvae generally live and feed on various kinds of decaying organic matter, including manure, seaweed, fungi, rotting wood, compost and carrion.

Adults have usually been found in tropical and subtropical beaches, often in caves or under cliff overhangs.

The larvae are unknown, but they may be in the droppings of birds and mammals which are abundant in such habitats.