Anapidae

Anapidae is a small family of parasitic wasps belonging to the superfamily Chalcidoidea. These wasps are typically very small, often less than a millimeter in length. They are characterized by their generally robust bodies, often with reduced wing venation. The family is distributed worldwide, though many species are found in tropical and subtropical regions.

The biology of Anapidae is largely centered on their parasitic lifestyle. They are parasitoids, meaning they develop on or within a host, ultimately killing it. The primary hosts for Anapidae wasps are other small arthropods, most notably mites (Acari) and collembolans (springtails). Females deposit their eggs on or near their host, and the developing larvae feed on the host's tissues. The life cycle is often rapid, and a single host may contain multiple wasp larvae.

Due to their minute size and cryptic habits, Anapidae are not well-studied compared to other insect families. Their ecological role is primarily as natural regulators of host populations, particularly mites that can be agricultural pests. Research into Anapidae focuses on their taxonomy, host associations, and their potential as biological control agents. Identifying and describing new species remains an ongoing area of entomological research.