Greenhouse Thrips
Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis
Overview
The Greenhouse Thrip (Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis) has more than 100 hosts, mainly broadleaf greenhouse plants, tropical species, and some field crops.
Greenhouse plants that are highly susceptible to Greenhouse Thrips include azalea, begonia, croton, cyclamen, ferns, orchids, palm, roses, and avocado.
Greenhouse Thrips also attack a range of outdoor crops in warm humid environments, including avocado, ficus, camelia, cymbidium and other orchid varieties, viburnum, citrus, coffee, macadamia, mango, and many other ornamental plants.
The adult Greenhouse Thrip has a black body, and the white wings and legs are distinct. They do not jump or fly away when disturbed, they remain in place or move around slowly. Greenhouse Thrips are easily mistaken for the other thrips of economic importance.
Why you need to control Greenhouse Thrips
Greenhouse Thrips are not a major pest in Australia, but they are difficult to control even with chemicals.
Greenhouse Thrips larvae can sometimes carry droplets of faecal matter on the tips of the abdomen which causes black specs to occur in conjunction with the silvering of foliage where they have been feeding.
Beneficial predators to control Greenhouse Thrips among crops
Biological Services can help you control Greenhouse Thrips in your commercial crop with the parasitic wasp Thripobius javae (Thripobius) and we can advise you on its use. Franklinothrips vespiformis (Frankie) is a predatory thrips that feeds on all stages of Greenhouse Thrips on the leaves of plants.
Predatory mites and Orius used to control Western Flower Thrips and other thrips species are not very effective in controlling Greenhouse Thrips.
Get tailored advice for your commercial crop
To speak with one of our qualified consultants about your current commercial crop challenge or to learn about the benefits of the IPM maintenance and monitoring services we provide, contact us.
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