Members of the genus have broad and short bodies (almost trapezoidal) with two pairs of eyes.

They have a prodorsal shield – the large covering on the anterior of the body – which is indented posteriorly (kidney-shaped).

Another pair of sensilla are found on the anterior portion of the mite's main body, the idiosoma.

[1] The species Anystis baccarum has been used as a form of biological pest control in apple orchards[2] due to their predation of Panonychus ulmi, a mite species that causes massive economic loss in apple trees.

[3] Though A. baccarum is the most well known and exemplary member of the genus, it is unknown if other species may be able to fill a similar role to it in terms of pest control.