Urostylididae is considered a “primitive” family within the stink-bug lineage. They are found only in Asia. The family has about 100 species, with distribution limited mainly to eastern Asia.
Urostylidids are 4–15 mm and somewhat longer than broad with elongated legs, three tarsal segments, and a small head. The antenna has 5 segments of which the first is longer than the head. The base of the antenna has broad tubercles and has a ringed appearance. The simple eyes or ocelli, when present (Urolabida lacks ocelli), are very close to each other. They show a wide separation between the hind and mid coxae on the underside.
Other important family characters are the presence of a structure for stridulation, the stridulitrum on the first anal vein of the hind wing, and bristles on the claws. The female genital structure has nine gonocoxites that form a M or W-shaped sclerite. They suck plant sap. The male reproductive anatomy suggests close affinities to the Tessaratomidae subfamily Natalicolinae. The spermatheca has two pump flanges in two genera which is a feature found also in the Aradidae and Leptopodidae.