Rhagophthalmidae occur throughout the eastern Palaearctic and Oriental regions from Japan to India, Sri Lanka and the East Indies. Rhagophthalmid larvae occur in soil and litter and are predaceous.
Females are apterous with adult eyes, antennae and legs.
Larvae and females are luminescent. The major light organ in female Dioptoma is located on sternite 7. References Crowson, R. A. 1972. Harvey, E. N. 1952. Olivier, E. 1910.