Dryopidae occur in all major regions of the world but are absent from the continent of Australia. Dryopids usually occur in wetter habitats, but only the adults of Helichus , Postelichus and Elmoparnus , and all stages of Stygoparnus are known to be truly aquatic.
Most dryopid larvae occur in soil or leaf litter.
References Barr, C. B. and P. J. Spangler. Besuchet, C. 1978. Brown, H. P. 1970. Kodada, J. 1998. 1. Check list and bibliography of the Dryopidae of China, pp.