Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis

(Bouché, 1833)

greenhouse thrips, glasshouse thrip, black tea thrips

Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis, commonly known as the greenhouse , is a in the . It is parthenogenetic with rare males, and reproduces rapidly in favorable conditions. The is a significant agricultural pest of greenhouse , ornamentals, and fruit trees worldwide, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. It has been globally and is subject to efforts using such as Thripobius semiluteus and Thripobius javae.

Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis by no rights reserved, uploaded by Jesse Rorabaugh. Used under a CC0 license.

Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis by (c) Jon Sullivan, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jon Sullivan. Used under a CC-BY license.

Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis by (c) Grey Smith, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Grey Smith. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis: //ˌhiːlioʊˈθrɪps ˌhɛmɔːrɔɪˈdeɪlɪs//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from other by the combination of black with - and orange tip, asymmetrical mouthcones with single , and 8-segmented with needle-like . The greenhouse thrips can be separated from the banded greenhouse thrips (Hercinothrips femoralis) by the latter's distinct dark transverse across the abdomen. lack the bold patterning of many other pest thrips . The presence of fecal droplets on larval abdomens is a behavioral indicator. Confirmation requires microscopic examination of mouthpart structure and antennal segmentation.

Images

Appearance

are 1.2–1.8 mm in length with black and to dark bearing an orange tip. The is (pointed backward) with 8-segmented pale yellow , the needle-like. contain 65–70 and three are present. Mouthcones are asymmetrical, containing paired maxillary and a single well-developed left . The 10-segmented abdomen is covered by averaging 7.5 μm thick. are narrow with few short on . Legs are with single-segmented . are white with red , darkening through ; some carry fecal droplets on the abdomen tip.

Habitat

Primarily associated with protected environments including greenhouses and glasshouses. Occurs on a wide range of plants including ornamentals (azaleas, chrysanthemums, fuchsia, roses, orchids), ferns, palms, vines, and fruit (avocado, persimmon, kiwi, ). In outdoor settings, found in tropical and subtropical regions on diverse vegetation. Shelter trees in agricultural settings (e.g., Cryptomeria japonica in kiwifruit orchards) can harbor .

Distribution

in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions worldwide. range presumed tropical; to Europe, North America, Central and South America, Africa, Asia, Australasia, and Pacific Islands. Documented in greenhouses in northern temperate regions where it cannot survive outdoors year-round. Specific records from: Europe (widespread), North America (USA, Canada, Mexico), Central America (Honduras), West Indies, South America (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Surinam, Uruguay, Venezuela), Africa (widespread), Asia (China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Israel, Turkey, etc.), and Australasia (Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii, Papua New Guinea).

Seasonality

Activity and abundance follow strong seasonal patterns in outdoor settings. In kiwifruit orchards (New Zealand), increase from January, peak in April–May, then decline in late autumn/winter, remaining low until the following January–February. Multiple occur annually: up to seven generations in temperate conditions, more than twelve in tropical conditions. Development rate is temperature-dependent with minimal influence from humidity. are active year-round in protected environments.

Diet

. Feeds by piercing epidermal and parenchymal tissue of leaves and fruits with mouthparts, extracting cellular contents. Shows preference for mature foliage over young leaves. Nitrogen content of foliage influences feeding preference. Documented include: (Fragaria × ananassa), avocado (Persea americana), kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis), persimmon (Diospyros spp.), azalea (Rhododendron simsii), chrysanthemum, fuchsia, rose, orchid, ferns, palms, and numerous other ornamental and plants.

Host Associations

strawberry - pest'Camino Real' and other ; complete development in ~28 days at 25°C
avocado - major pestSignificant pest in southern California; subject to programs
kiwifruit - Strong seasonal on 'Hayward' and 'Zesy002'
Rhododendron simsii - Cyclic ; avoid young leaves due to and grayanotoxin I defenses
persimmon - pestFruit reported
ornamental plants - pestAzaleas, chrysanthemums, fuchsia, roses, orchids, ferns, palms

Life Cycle

Development includes , two larval , non-feeding prepupal stage, and pupal stage. Complete cycle averages 28.4 days at 25°C: egg hatching 14–15 days at 26–28°C or 16–22 days at 21–25°C; first larval instar ~4 days (97% viability); second larval instar ~5 days (99% viability); ~1 day (99% viability); ~3 days (100% viability). Females begin 4–6 days after , producing up to 47 eggs under favorable conditions. Eggs laid singly beneath leaf or fruit surfaces, or carried exposed and coated with secretions and . Parthenogenetic ; males rare. Average lifespan ~1 month.

Behavior

of some individuals carry fecal droplets on the abdominal tip, hypothesized to function as . Feeding occurs primarily on mature foliage, avoiding young leaves on some . and larvae aggregate on undersides of leaves. Non-feeding during prepupal and pupal stages. Winged adults disperse by . Females exhibit site selection based on tissue characteristics.

Ecological Role

Agricultural pest causing direct feeding damage and indirect damage through cosmetic injury to fruit and -like promoting . Serves as for including Thripobius semiluteus, Thripobius javae, and Megaphragma spp., contributing to structure in managed . for predatory (Franklinothrips orizabensis) and other .

Human Relevance

Major economic pest of greenhouse , ornamentals, and fruit production globally. Feeding causes silvery or lead-colored leaf discoloration and cosmetic fruit damage reducing market value; fruit quality itself is not affected. Controlled through using (Thripobius semiluteus in California avocados, T. javae in New Zealand), predatory , , and nematodes. Susceptible to phosphine (620 ppm for 2 hours) and spinosad , though show strong tendency to develop . Subject to regulations for kiwifruit export.

Similar Taxa

Hercinothrips femoralisAlso called 'banded greenhouse '; distinguished by dark transverse across versus H. haemorrhoidalis's more uniform coloration with orange tip only
other Heliothrips speciesRequire microscopic examination of mouthpart asymmetry and antennal segmentation for definitive separation