Acarophenacidae is a family of mites in the order Trombidiformes that are egg parasitoids and ectoparasites of beetles or thrips.
[2] Acarophenacidae are <200 μm in length and elongate to oval in shape.
Distinguishing features are the gnathosoma (mouthparts) partially/completely fused into the propodosoma, indistinct palps and the first leg pair being thickest.
[1] Some Acarophenacidae have been suggested as biological control agents as they reduce populations of their hosts.
These include Acarophenax mahunkai for the lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus),[3] and Acarophenax lacunatus for red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum) and lined flat bark beetle (Cryptolestes ferrugineus).