Some of the group resemble mosquitoes very closely, but adult crane flies cannot bite and their larvae are actually beneficial as swamp inhabitants. Swarms are found typically in open sunny places, often near water around houses, shrubs and fences at dusk. Individuals within the swarm move rapidly up and down, thus the name, dance flies. Adults do not bite. There are several other types of insects commonly found around the house that develop in damp soil with decaying vegetation high in organic content, such as lawns, stream margins, decaying wood and compost piles.
Adults are common in shaded and wooded areas.
The insects do not bite. Adults are small to minute, hairy, with wings in a typical roof-like position when at rest. Adults are often found around drains and sewers. Moth flies do not bite. They are usually found close to their sources due to a limited flight capacity.