The single known species of this family has been collected
in mosses in Tasmania. It is probably an austral ecological counterpart of the
northern hemisphere Boreidae, adapting to colder climates by losing its wings
and feeding on the abundant understory mosses. Both groups have been collected
on snow and at high elevations. However, these two groups are probably not sister
groups, as males of Apteropanorpa tasmanica have developed the bulbous,
recurved abdomen found in advanced families, such as Panorpidae.