Chalcidae is a term used to describe a family of parasitic wasps found across the world. These wasps are known for laying their eggs inside the eggs or larvae of other insects, eventually killing their host as the wasp larvae develop. Although the term Chalcidae is specific to this particular family, there are other names that can be used to refer to this type of parasitic wasp. Other common synonyms include chalcidoid wasps, chalcids, and chalcidine wasps. These different names are often used interchangeably and all refer to the same type of insect. Despite their small size, these parasitic wasps play an important role in controlling populations of other insects in various ecosystems.