Alphacateniini

Alphacateniini is a tribe within the subfamily Mymarinae of the insect order Hymenoptera. Mymarinae are commonly known as fairyflies, which are a group of minute parasitic wasps. The tribe Alphacateniini specifically includes several genera of these tiny wasps, characterized by their delicate and often elongated antennae. These insects are primarily found in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.

The life cycle of Alphacateniini, like other fairyflies, is typically tied to that of other insects, particularly eggs. They are endoparasitoids, meaning their larvae develop inside the host. The hosts are most commonly the eggs of other arthropods, such as spiders, planthoppers, or leafhoppers. Adult female Alphacateniini locate host eggs and deposit their own eggs within them. The developing larvae then consume the contents of the host egg. Due to their small size and parasitic nature, Alphacateniini play a role in natural pest control. Their precise ecological impact is an area of ongoing research, with many species still undescribed and their host associations not fully understood.