The
Eupelmidae are a family of
parasitic wasps in the superfamily
Chalcidoidea. The group is apparently
polyphyletic, though the different subfamilies may each be
monophyletic, and may be elevated to family status in the near future. As presently defined, there are over 905 described species in 45 genera. The
larvae of the majority are primary
parasitoids, commonly on
beetle larvae, though many other hosts are attacked, including
spiders, and details of the life history can be variable (e.g., some attack eggs and others are
hyperparasites). They are found throughout the world in virtually all habitats.