Both sexes fully winged. Body and legs uniformly brown; fore wing posterior half dark from near apex to near (but not including) clavus, with two transverse dark bands that vary in length. Antennae 9-segmented, antennal segment III yellow, segment IV variable in colour, usually yellow in basal half with apex brown. For a full description and more details about this species please follow the ‘Further info:’ link below.

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box, state the key or ID method used and describe the size and identifying characters.

Breeding the leaves of some deciduous trees including Oak and Ash. A predator of mites and thrips and probably other small arthropods. 

Summer.

Breeding on the leaves and flowers of various trees as a predator of mites and thrips larvae.

Widespread in southern England, but not common. 

Rarely recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.

https://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/british_thrips/the_key/key/britishthysanoptera/Media/Html/entities/aeolothrips_melaleucus.htm