Several species are known to be myrmecophilous, with the larvae developing in ant's nests.

3 lateroclinate orbital setae; posteroventral comb of setae on the first tarsomere of the hind leg; usually greatly enlarged palpus and basoflagellomere in males

Absent in the Neotropical and rare in the Oceanic Region but occurs in all other regions. In Middle Europe Phyllomyza is the most species rich genus of Milichiidae and can be collected in open grasslands with scattered short trees or bushes, like for example in dunes.