Aphytis is a genus of chalcid wasps in the family Aphelinidae. There are about 130 species.^[1]

Quick Facts Aphytis, Scientific classification ...

Aphytis
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Aphelinidae
Tribe:	Aphytini
Genus:	Aphytis Howard, 1900
Type species
Aphytis chilensis Howard, 1900
Species
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Adults of this genus are less than a millimetre in length. They are usually yellowish or grayish in colour, sometimes mottled. In each antenna, the funicle is usually 3-segmented while the clava is 1-segmented. The pronotum is divided. The propodeum is relatively long and bears crenulae. The forewing has a well-defined linea calva.^[2]

Aphytis are ectoparasitoids of armoured scale insects (Diaspididae).^[2] Adult female wasps lay eggs under scale covers onto the bodies of scale insects, which hatch into larvae that feed on the scales until the point of death.^[3] Adult wasps also feed on scales directly (host feeding).^[3][4]

Various Aphytis species are used for biological control of armoured scales. Of these, the most polyphagous and widespread is A. chrysomphali, which has been reared from over 50 hosts.^[5] Other species used in biological control are A. melinus,^[3] A. lingnanensis^[6] and A. holoxanthus.^[7]

Aphytis wasps can be harmed by pollutants in environments where they are used, such as insecticide residues^[8] and dust.^[9]