Greenhouse Thrips
Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis
This record describes Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (species). Recorded family: Thripidae. Recorded order: Thysanoptera.
Identification and Appearance
First detected in the US in 1870s. A pest of greenhouse plants. The larval parasite Thripobius semiluteus was introduced into California from Brazil and Australia in the mid-1980s.[Cite:185010]
Wikipedia reference for Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heliothrips_haemorrhoidalis.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Thysanoptera (Thrips)
- Family
- Thripidae
- Subfamily
- Panchaetothripinae
- Genus
- Heliothrips
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
native to South America, now occurs worldwide in the tropics and sub-tropics and probably over much of the world in greenhouses[Cite:185010]
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Many ornamental plants kept in greenhouses[Cite:185010]
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Bouché 1833)
About Thrips: the wider group
Order-level background for Thysanoptera, the group containing Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Thysanoptera (thrips) includes ~6,000 described species. Thrips are among the smallest flying insects - most are just 1-2mm long. Despite their tiny size, they are major agricultural pests worldwide.
Ecological role of the group
Some thrip species are actually beneficial predators that feed on pest mites and other small arthropods. Thrips are also pollinators of some tropical plants, including certain palm species.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) is considered one of the top 10 most economically important pest insects globally, causing billions in crop damage through direct feeding and transmission of tospoviruses like tomato spotted wilt virus.
Recorded sources for this group: USDA, agricultural entomology research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Frequently Asked Questions About Greenhouse Thrips
What is Greenhouse Thrips?
Greenhouse Thrips (Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis) is a species in the family Thripidae, within the order Thysanoptera.
Where is Greenhouse Thrips found?
Range: native to South America, now occurs worldwide in the tropics and sub-tropics and probably over much of the world in greenhouses[Cite:185010]
What does Greenhouse Thrips eat?
The diet of the Greenhouse Thrips includes Many ornamental plants kept in greenhouses[Cite:185010].