The members of this family have broad wings that have at least four cross-veins, similar to Melanthripdae, but unlike most other Thysanoptera that have narrow wings and have lost most or all cross-veins.

The females of the Aeolothripidae have lost the sternite of the eighth abdominal segment, which distinguishes them from the females of Melanthripidae and Merothripidae (not yet recorded in Germany), that retain this sternite in a reduced form (as two separate, ovoid lobe-shaped sclerites).

The members of Aeolothripidae are predators feeding on other arthropods (including other thrips); some species also feed on plants.