Aeolothrips albicinctus

Usually micropterous, with wings shorter than thorax width; fully winged females rare. Distinctive body colour - brown with abdominal segments II–III sharply yellow, antennal segments II and most of III yellow; legs brown. Antennae 9-segmented. Head and pronotum with no long setae; eyes strongly prolonged on ventral surface. Abdominal tergite I with many closely spaced transverse striae.

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 at the base of grasses. Believed to be predatory on mites, with the behaviour active and distinctively ant-like.

Locally abundant in southern England as far north as Teeside, and also parts of Wales.

Unknown.

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

Mound, L. A., Morison, G. D., Pitkin, B. R., & Palmer, J. M. (1976). Handbooks for the identification of British insects. Vol. 1, part 11. Thysanoptera.