Greenhouse thrips - Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis

By N A Martin (2017 revised 2018)

Caption:

Classification

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Insecta

Order

Thysanoptera

Family

Thripidae

Subfamily

Panchaetothripinae

Scientific name

Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Bouche, 1833)

Common names

Greenhouse thrips, Black tea thrips, Glasshouse thrips

Synonyms

Thrips haemorrhoidalis Bouche, 1833

Heliothrips adonidum Haliday, 1836

Heliothrips semiaureus Girault, 1928

Heliothrips abdominalis Reuter, 1891

Heliothrips angustior Priesner, 1923

Heliothrips ceylonicus Schultz 1913

Dinurothrips rufiventris Girault, 1929

Taxonomic notes

Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Bouche, 1833) is one of four species of the subfamily Panchaetothripinae in New Zealand. The other three species are Palm thrips, Parthenothrips dracaenae (Heeger, 1854), Banana silvering thrips, Hercinothrips bicinctus (Bagnal, 1919) and an endemic species, Hangehange thrips, Sigmothrips aotearoana Ward, 1970. This subfamily is distinguished from other Thripidae by the dorsal surface of the head and prothorax being covered in reticulate sculpture. The maxillary palp is two segmented and the forewing has the first vein more or less fused to the costa. Another distinguishing feature of the four species in New Zealand is that they feed on mature or almost mature plant leaves.

This species is called the Greenhouse thrips because it was first discovered in a German greenhouse, and it was frequently found in European greenhouses.

Biostatus and distribution

This adventive species of thrips is widespread in the tropics and subtropics and lives on mature plant leaves. It was first found in New Zealand on rose and Virburnum leaves in 1930 by W. Cottier. In New Zealand it occurs throughout the North Island and the north of the South Island. In colder areas it may be restricted to pot plants and greenhouses. It is mainly found on adventive plants including crops and garden plants. It also occurs on native plants in native habitats.

Conservation status: Widespread in the North Island and present in the North of the South Island; on native and adventive plants in parks, gardens and native habitats. It may be regarded as a pest on some plants.

Life stages and annual cycle

Life cycle of a plant feeding Terebrantia thrips. © Plant & Food Research Figure 8 from Crop & Food Research Infosheet No3-16. [Image: 2J2N]

The Greenhouse thrips appears to breed all year outdoors in Auckland and they can also breed all year on indoor plants. They live mainly on the mature leaves of their host plants as do the other three species of the subfamily Panchaetothripinae found in New Zealand. Males are rare in New Zealand so the species is mainly parthenogenetic in this country. Colonies often start on leaves in sheltered places with higher humidity. They sometime start by the moulted skin of and insect.

Adults

Adults like the other active stages of Greenhouse thrips are relatively long and thin. The body is black and the dorsal surface of the head and prothorax is strongly sculptured and reticulate. The three pairs of legs are white. The head has two antennae, two compound eyes and on the underside the mouth cone contains a pair of short maxillary stylets and a single stout mandible. The two pairs of wings when not used for flying are held over the abdomen. The narrow forewings have prominent white bases while the rest is pale brown. The tip of the abdomen contains an ovipositor for inserting eggs into leaves. Males are occasionally produced, but females usually lay eggs without mating.

Eggs and Larvae

Eggs are laid in either the upper or underside of the leaf depending on the plants species. A thin larva hatches from the egg. It is the shape of a tiny white wingless adult. Like the adult it has three pairs of legs, a pair of antennae and the same structures for feeding. There are two larval stages and two non-feeding stages, a prepupa and a pupa. The juvenile thrips go to the next stage by moulting. This involves the dorsal skin splitting and the next stage pulling itself out of the old skin. The second larva looks like the first larva. larva and may be yellow-green or grey coloured. The last two segments of the abdomen form a brownish cone with setae (hairs) around the tip of the anus. These setae are about the length of the terminal segment and help hold the faecal droplet. The droplet sometime runs over the larva’s body covering it with dark faecal matter.

Prepupa and Pupa

The first non-feeding stage, the prepupa, differs in appearance from the larva by having short wing buds. The next stage, the pupa, has longer wing buds and the antennae are folded back over the head. The prepupa and pupa live on leaves with the larvae.

Feeding and plant damage

Greenhouse thrips feed on mature leaves rather than young leaves. Larvae and adults use the stylets in their mouth cone to feed. They puncture plant cells with their single mandible and suck up the plant cell contents with their maxillary stylets. Their feeding kills the surface cells of the leaves creating distinctive pale areas of dead cells. The larvae carry a dark faecal droplet at the tip of the abdomen, that may run over the body or be flicked away at intervals.

Adult Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on the underside of a leaf. Creator: Tim Holmes. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JVH]

Drawing of head of Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) showing the reticulate body sculpture and the lateral edges of the head. © Drawing published in Fauna of New Zealand Number 1. Figure 7. [Image: 2JVI]

Drawing of the forewing of Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) showing the veins and setae (hairs). © Drawing published in Fauna of New Zealand Number 1. Figure 149. [Image: 2JVJ]

Ventral, underside of the tip of the abdomen of a female Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae): microscope slide preparation showing the toothed ovipositor tha makes holes in leaves for eggs. © All rights reserved. [Image: 2JVU]

Dorsal, (upper) side of the tip of the abdomen of a male Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae): microscope slide preparation showing the genital capsule and spines. © All rights reserved. [Image: 2JVV]

Ventral, underside of the tip of the abdomen of a male Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae): microscope slide preparation showing the genitalia. © All rights reserved. [Image: 2JVW]

Recently moulted Adult Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on the underside of a leaf of Small-flowered mistletoe, Ileostylus micranthus (Loranthaceae). Creator: Tim Holmes. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JUU]

Larvae of Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on the upper side of a leaf of pussy willow, Salix ×reichardtii (Salicaceae). Creator: Tim Holmes. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JVA]

Microscope slide preparation of a larva of Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae): note setae at the tip of the abdomen. Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Landcare Research. [Image: 2JVL]

Ventral, (under) side of the tip of the abdomen of a larva of Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae): microscope slide preparation of the tip of the abdomen showing the pigmentation and shape of the terminal segments, the setae at the tip of the abdomen and the oval stigma (opening to breathing tube) on abdominal segment 8 (black arrow). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Landcare Research. [Image: 2JVM]

Dorsal (upper) side of the tip of the abdomen of a larva of Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae): microscope slide preparation showing the pigmentation and shape of the terminal segments, the setae at the tip of the abdomen and the small setae (hairs) and ornamentation on the abdominal segments. Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Landcare Research. [Image: 2JVN]

Dorsal (upper) side of the tip of the abdomen of a larva of Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae): microscope slide preparation showing the oval stigma (opening to breathing tube) on the thorax Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Landcare Research. [Image: 2JVP]

Prepupa of Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on the underside of a leaf of pussy willow, Salix ×reichardtii (Salicaceae). Creator: Tim Holmes. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JV8]

Three pupae of Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on the underside of a leaf of Whau, Entelea arborescens (Malvaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JUD]

Pupa of Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on the underside of a leaf of Schefflera sp. (Araliaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2KG3]

Microscope slide preparation of a pupa of Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae): note long wing buds and antennae fold back over the head. Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Landcare Research. [Image: 2JVQ]

Wing buds of a pupa of Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in a microscope slide preparation: note short setae (hairs) on the forewing bud. Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Landcare Research. [Image: 2JVR]

Terminal segments of the abdomen a prepupa of Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in a microscope slide preparation: note the simple bristle-like setae. Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Landcare Research. [Image: 2JVS]

Recently moulted adults and juvenile of Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on a leaf of Puka, Meryta sinclairii (Araliaceae). Creator: Tim Holmes. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JUZ]

Underside of a leaf of Lacebark, Hoheria populnea (Malvaceae) with feeding damage by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) around a pupal skin of a Steelblue ladybird, Halmus chalybeus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JTV]

Adults and juvenile of Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on a leaf of Golden tainui, Pomaderris kumeraho (Rhamnaceae): note the grey coloured larvae. Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JU6]

Adults and juvenile of Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on the underside of a leaf of Coprosma grandifolia (Rubiaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JUQ]

Leaves of small flowered mistletoe, Ileostylus micranthus (Loranthaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JUT]

Lealets of rose, Rosa sp. (Rosaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JUG]

Underside of a leaf of Tutu, Coriaria arborea (Coriariaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae): note the juvenile thrips in a hollow in the leaf. Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JV5]

Underside of a frond of Lastreopsis microsora (Dryopteridaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JU8]

Underside of a frond of Hound's tongue fern, Microsorum pustulatum (Polypodiaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JU9]

Recognition

Greenhouse thrips are found on mature or almost mature leaves of host plants with typical thrips feeding damage. With the aid of a strong magnifying glass, they can be distinguished from the other three species in the subfamily Panchaetothripinae. The dorsal surface the head and prothorax of adults of the New Zealand species in this subfamily is strongly sculptured and reticulate.

Adult Greenhouse thrips body is black with white legs and its narrow wings have a white basal area. The wings of the other three species have black and white bands. The banana silvering thrips, Hercinothrips bicintus, and Hangehange thrips, Sigmothrips aotearoana, have narrow banded wings, and the Palm thrips, Parthenothrips dracaenae has broad banded wings.

If adults are absent, colonies of Greenhouse thrips are easily distinguished from those of the other Panchaetothripinae. The larvae, prepupae and pupae may all be found on host plant leaves and they are a greenish-yellow or grey. The larvae carry a faecal droplet which distinguishes them from Palm thrips, whose larvae, prepupae and pupae are a brilliant white. The larvae of banana silvering thrips, Hercinothrips bicintus, and Hangehange thrips, Sigmothrips aotearoana, also carry dark faecal droplets, but their colonies never have prepupae or pupae on the leaves.

In colonies without adults, prepupae and pupae, the end of the larval abdomen should be checked. This requires a strong magnifying glass or binocular microscope. Banana silvering thrips have no setae around the anus at the tip of the abdomen whereas Hangehange thrips larvae have long setae at the end of a long final segment. The Greenhouse thrips larva has a short wide final segment with short setae.

Colonies of Greenhouse thrips can be recognised by the presence of black pupae of the wasp parasitoid, Thripobius javae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae).

Adult Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on the underside of a leaf. Creator: Tim Holmes. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JVH]

Larvae of Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on the underside of a leaf of Small-flowered mistletoe, Ileostylus micranthus (Loranthaceae). Creator: Tim Holmes. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JUV]

Microscope slide preparation of a larva of Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae): note the short terminal segment of the abdomen and short anal setae (hairs). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Landcare Research. [Image: 2JVK]

Adult Palm thrips, Parthenothrips dracaenae (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on the upper side of a leaf of Pigeonwood, Hedycarya arborea (Monimiaceae). Creator: Tim Holmes. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2J2U]

Adult and prepupa of Palm thrips, Parthenothrips dracaenae (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on leaf of Three Kings cabbage tree, Cordyline obtecta (Asparagaceae). Creator: Tim Holmes. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2J2R]

Larvae of Palm thrips, Parthenothrips dracaenae (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on the upper side of a leaf of Pigeonwood, Hedycarya arborea (Monimiaceae). Creator: Tim Holmes. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2J2Y]

Pupa of Palm thrips, Parthenothrips dracaenae (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on a leaf of Tecomanthe speciosa (Bignoniaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2J33]

Dorsal (upper) side of the tip of the abdomen of a larva of Palm thrips, Parthenothrips dracaenae (Thysanoptera: Thripidae): microscope slide preparation showing the setae (hairs) with expanded tips and the round stigma (opening to breathing tube) on abdominal segment 8 (black arrow). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Landcare Research. [Image: 2J39]

Wing buds of a pupa of Palm thrips, Parthenothrips dracaenae (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in a microscope slide preparation: note the long setae (hairs) on the forewing bud. Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Landcare Research. [Image: 2J3B]

Side view of the abdomen of a pupa of Palm thrips, Parthenothrips dracaenae (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in a microscope slide preparation: note the setae (hairs) with expanded tips. Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Landcare Research. [Image: 2J3D]

Adult Banana silvering thrips, Hercinothrips bicinctus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on underside of a leaf of Night-scented Jessamine, Cestrum nocturnum (Solanaceae). Creator: Tim Holmes. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2J5K]

Drawing of the forewing of Banana silvering thrips, Hercinothrips bicinctus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) showing the veins setae (hairs) and pigmentation. © Drawing published in Fauna of New Zealand Number 1. Figure 150. [Image: 2J62]

First and second instar (stage) larvae of Banana silvering thrips, Hercinothrips bicinctus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on underside of a leaf of Tecomanthe speciosa (Bignoniaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2J61]

Second instar (stage) larvae of Banana silvering thrips, Hercinothrips bicinctus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on underside of a leaf of Night-scented Jessamine, Cestrum nocturnum (Solanaceae): note the conical shape of the segments at the tip of the abdomen (black arrow). Creator: Tim Holmes. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2J5I]

Microscope slide preparation of a larva of Banana silvering thrips, Hercinothrips bicinctus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae): note the short conical terminal segments of the abdomen. Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Landcare Research. [Image: 2J67]

Adult Hangehange thrips, Sigmothrips aotearoana (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on upper side of a leaf of Hangehange, Geniostoma ligustrifolium (Loganiaceae): note the sharp lateral projections on the head (white arrow). Creator: Tim Holmes. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2J3X]

Drawing of the forewing of Hangehange thrips, Sigmothrips aotearoana (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) showing the veins setae (hairs) and pigmentation. © Drawing published in Fauna of New Zealand Number 1. Figure 153. [Image: 2J4Q]

First and second instar (stage) larvae of Hangehange thrips, Sigmothrips aotearoana (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on upper side of a leaf of Hangehange, Geniostoma ligustrifolium (Loganiaceae): note the long anal setae in the faecal droplet of the thrips on the right. Creator: Tim Holmes. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2J40]

Microscope slide preparation of a larva of Hangehange thrips, Sigmothrips aotearoana (Thysanoptera: Thripidae): note long setae at the tip of the abdomen. Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Landcare Research. [Image: 2J4G]

Black pupae of Greenhouse thrips parasitoid, Thripobius javae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) on underside of Metrosideros bartlettii (Myrtaceae) leaf that also shows feeding damage by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2KCQ]

Natural enemies

Two parasitoids and two predators of Greenhouse thrips are known in New Zealand.

Parasitoids

The tiny wasps, Megaphragma sp. (Trichogrammitidae) are parasitoids of eggs, while another wasp, the Greenhouse thrips parasite, Thripobius javae (Eulophidae) lives in the larvaes. The female Greenhouse thrips parasite lays eggs in first instar (stage) or early second instar larvae. When the wasp larva is fuly grown it kills the thrips larva and makes a hole in its cuticle (skin). It pupates in the thrips larval skin. The pupa leaves the larva and attaches itself to the leaf surface and turns black. In New Zealand Thripobius javae only lives in greenhouse thrips and its presence on leaves shows that the thrips has been breeding on the plant. In January 2001, Thripobius javae from Italy were released into New Zealand for the control of greenhouse thrips after safety testing.

Predators

Two species of tiny wasp, Spilomena emarginata and Spilomena nozela (Crabronidae), that catch thrips and put them in cells in wood borer beetle tunnels, have been observed catching Greenhouse thrips. Spilomena species are minute, and place paralysed adult and larval thrips in holes of wood-boring insects. They make a cell in the hole, fill a cell with thrips, lay an egg and close the cell. The larva eats the paralyzed thrips. And then spin a cocoon in the cell, in which they pupate. Several females may use the same woodborer burrows.

Black pupae of Greenhouse thrips parasitoid, Thripobius javae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) on underside of a leaf: note exit holes made by the adult wasp. © All rights reserved. [Image: 2SAX]

An adult Greenhouse thrips parasitoid, Thripobius javae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) on underside of a leaf that also shows feeding damage by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). © All rights reserved. [Image: 2SAW]

Six images of an adult Greenhouse thrips parasitoid, Thripobius javae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae): note the pair of dark spots on the abdomen. © All rights reserved. [Image: 2SAY]

Table: Natural enemies of Greenhouse thrips, *Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis* (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), from Plant-SyNZ database (18 July 2017). The reliability index shows the quality of evidence for the host association (0-10, 10=high quality).
Scientific Name	Common Name	Classification	Enemy Type	Reliability Index	Biostatus
Megaphragma sp.	(Wasp)	Hymenoptera: Trichogrammitidae	parasitoid	7	adventive
Thripobius javae (Girault, 1917)	Greenhouse thrips parasite (Wasp)	Hymenoptera: Eulophidae	parasitoid	10	adventive
Spilomena emarginata Vardy, 1987	(Wasp)	Hymenoptera: Crabronidae	predator	10	endemic
Spilomena nozela Vardy, 1987	(Wasp)	Hymenoptera: Crabronidae	predator	10	native

Host plants

Greenhouse thrips has a very wide host range. In New Zealand it has been found feeding on more than 165 species of plant from 74 families and include about 60 indigenous species. Amongst its host plants are ferns, sedges, conifers, and broad-leaved trees and shrubs. It mainly feed on mature and over mature leaves, but will also feed on the fruit of some plants.

The adults and larvae may feed on either side of leaves. They feed by inserting their stylets plant cells at or near the surface of the leaf. They suck out the cell contents. Their presence can be recognised by the distinctive appearance of their feeding damage on leaves.

Upper side of a frond of Giant hypolepis, Hypolepis dicksonionioides (Dennstaedtiaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JUM]

Upper side of a frond of Velvet fern, Lastreopsis velutina (Dryopteridaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JUW]

Underside of a frond of Velvet fern, Lastreopsis velutina (Dryopteridaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JUX]

Leaves of Tree fuchsia, Fuchsia excorticate (Onagraceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JTM]

Leaves of Rewarewa, Knightia excelsa (Proteaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JTN]

Kanuka, Kunzea sp. (Myrtaceae) with leaf damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JTP]

Leaves of White rata, Metrosideros diffusa (Myrtaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JTQ]

Leaf of Hinau, Elaeocarpus dentatus (Elaeocarpaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JTR]

Leaves of Ramarama, Lophomyrtus bullata (Myrtaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JTS]

Leaf of Ngaio, Myoporum laetum (Scrophulariaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JTT]

Leaf of Lacebark, Hoheria populnea (Malvaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JTU]

Leaf of Wineberry, Aristotelia serrata (Elaeocarpaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JTW]

Leaf of Pohutukawa, Metrosideros excelsa (Myrtaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JTX]

Leaves of Small white rata, Metrosideros perforate (Myrtaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JTY]

Leaf of Tawhero, Weinmannia silvicola (Cunoniaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JTZ]

Leaves of Muehlenbeckia complexa (Polygonaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JU0]

Leaves of Creeping fuchsia, Fuchsia procumbens (Onagraceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JU1]

Frond of Kiokio, Blechnum novae-zelandiae (Blechnaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JU2]

Frond of Hairy fern, Lastreopsis hispida (Dryopteridaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JU3]

Leaflet of Melicope ternata (Rutaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JU4]

Leaves of Golden tainui, Pomaderris kumeraho (Rutaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JU5]

Leaves of Toro, Myrsine salicina (Primulaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JUA]

Leaf of a Whau, Entelea arborescens (Malvaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JUC]

Leaves of Pale-flowered kumarahou, Pomaderris hamiltonii (Rutaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JUI]

Leaves of Myrsine australis (Primulaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JUJ]

Leaves of swamp willow weed, Persicaria decipiens (Polygonaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JUL]

Leaf of Coprosma grandifolia (Rubiaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JUN]

Leaves of White maire, Nestegis lanceolata (Oleaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JUR]

Green seeds of Carex aff geminata (Cyperaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JV6]

Upper side of a frond of Palm fern, Blechnum novae-zelandiae (Blechnaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). © All rights reserved. [Image: 2SAZ]

Underside of a frond of Palm fern, Blechnum novae-zelandiae (Blechnaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). © All rights reserved. [Image: 2SB0]

Underside of a leaf of Seven-finger, Schefflera digitata (Araliaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). © All rights reserved. [Image: 2SAV]

Underside of a leaf of Lacebark, Hoheria populnea (Malvaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). © All rights reserved. [Image: 2SB1]

Table: Host plants of the Greenhouse thrips, *Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis* (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) from Plant-SyNZ database (15 July 2018). The reliability score shows the quality of evidence for the host association (1-10, 10=high).
Common Name(s)	Scientific Name	Family	Reliability Index	Biostatus
Shining spleenwort, Huruhuruwhenua, Parenako, Paretao, Pānako, Paranako, Paretao, Urūru whenua	Asplenium oblongifolium Colenso	Aspleniaceae	10	endemic
Climbing hard fern, Thread fern	Blechnum filiforme (A. Cunn.) Ettingshausen	Blechnaceae	10	endemic
Palm fern, Horokio, Kiokio, Korokio, Koropio, Mokimoki, Piupiu, Rautao, Tupari	Blechnum novae-zelandiae T.C. Chambers et P.A. Farrent	Blechnaceae	10	endemic
Tree fern	Dicksonia sp.	Dicksoniaceae	9	indigenous, non-endemic
Giant hypolepis	Hypolepis dicksonionioides (Endl.) Hook.	Dennstaedtiaceae	10	indigenous, non-endemic
Hairy fern	Lastreopsis hispida (Sw.) Tindale	Dryopteridaceae	10	indigenous, non-endemic
	Lastreopsis microsora (Endl.) Tindale	Dryopteridaceae	10	indigenous, non-endemic
Velvet fern	Lastreopsis velutina (A.Rich.) Tindale	Dryopteridaceae	10	endemic
Hounds tongue, Hound's tongue fern, Strap fern, kōwaowao, pāraharaha, kōwaowao, Maratata, Pāraha, pāraharaha, Raumanga	Microsorum pustulatum (G.Forst.) Copel.	Polypodiaceae	10	indigenous, non-endemic
Fragrant fern, Mokimoki, Moki	Microsorum scandens (G. Forst.) Tindale	Polypodiaceae	9	indigenous, non-endemic
Feather fern, Gully fern, Pākau, Pākau roharoha, Pakauroharoha, Piupiu	Pneumatopteris pennigera (G.Forst.) Holttum	Thelypteridaceae	10	indigenous, non-endemic
Coastal brake, Netted brake	Pteris comans G.Forst.	Pteridaceae	8	indigenous, non-endemic
King fern, Horseshoe fern, Potato fern, Mouku, Para, Para reka, Para tawhiti, Uhipara, Uwhipara	Ptisana salicina (Sm.) Murdock	Marattiaceae	10	indigenous, non-endemic
Hard todea, King fern	Todea barbara (L.) T.Moore	Osmundaceae	10	indigenous, non-endemic
Cedar wattle	Acacia elata Benth.	Leguminosae	10	naturalised
Blackwood, Tasmanian blackwood	Acacia melanoxylon R.Br.	Leguminosae	8	naturalised
Sycamore, Mock plane, Scottish maple, Sycamore maple	Acer pseudoplatanus L.	Sapindaceae	10	naturalised
Red maple, Scarlet maple, Soft maple, Swamp maple	Acer rubrum L.	Sapindaceae	10	cultivated
Himalayan maple, Sikkhim maple	Acer sikkimense Miq.	Sapindaceae	10	cultivated
Mākaka, Makamaka	Ackama rosifolia A.Cunn.	Cunoniaceae	10	endemic
Kiwifruit, Kiwi berry	Actinidia arguta (Siebold & Zucc.) Planch. ex Miq.	Actinidiaceae	9	cultivated
	Actinidia chinensis Planch.	Actinidiaceae	8	naturalised
Red horse-chestnut	Aesculus xcarnea Hayne	Sapindaceae	10	cultivated
New Zealand ash, Tapitapi, Tītoki, Tītongi, Tokitoki, Tongitongi, Topitopi	Alectryon excelsus Gaertn.	Sapindaceae	10	endemic
Alder	Alnus sp.	Betulaceae	7	unknown
	Alocasia sp.	Araceae	7	unknown
Shrubby honeysuckle, Horopito, Karapapa, Korotaiko, Pere, Toropapa	Alseuosmia macrophylla A. Cunn.	Alseuosmiaceae	10	endemic
Marsh mallow, White mallow	Althaea officinalis L.	Malvaceae	8	naturalised
Cruel plant, Kapok vine, Moth plant, White bladder flower	Araujia horturum E.Fourn.	Apocynaceae	6	naturalised
Cane apple, Strawberry tree	Arbutus unedo L.	Ericaceae	10	naturalised
Areng palm, Black-fiber palm, sugar palm	Arenga pinnata (Wurmb) Merr.	Palmae	10	cultivated
Wineberry, Mako, Makomako	Aristotelia serrata (J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.) W.R.B.Oliver	Elaeocarpaceae	10	endemic
Brush bloodwood	Baloghia inophylla (G.Forst.) P.S.Green	Euphorbiaceae	8	naturalised
Taraire	Beilschmiedia tarairi (A.Cunn.) Benth. & Hook.f. ex Kirk	Lauraceae	9	endemic
Bergenia	Bergenia hybrid	Saxifragaceae	7	cultivated
Camellia	Camellia brevistyla (Hayata) Cohen-Stuart	Theaceae	10	cultivated
Camellia	Camellia grijsii Hance	Theaceae	10	naturalised
Camellia	Camellia sp.	Theaceae	6	cultivated
	Carex aff geminata	Cyperaceae	9	endemic
Natal plum, Amantungulu	Carissa macrocarpa (Eckl.) A. DC.	Apocynaceae	9	cultivated
Hornbeam	Carpinus betulus L.	Betulaceae	10	cultivated
White sapote	Casimiroa edulis La Llave & Lex.	Rutaceae	10	cultivated
Spanish chesnut, Sweet chestnut	Castanea sativa Miller	Fagaceae	10	naturalised
European redbud, Judas tree, Love tree	Cercis siliquastrum L.	Leguminosae	9	naturalised
	Chaenomeles x superba (Frahm) Rehder	Rosaceae	10	cultivated
	Chamaedorea pochutlensis Liebm.	Palmae	10	cultivated
Mexican orange blossom	Choisya ternata Kunth	Rutaceae	9	cultivated
Rock rose	Cistus sp.	Cistaceae	5	naturalised
Citrus	Citrus sp.	Rutaceae	7	unknown
Lilly of the valley tree, Folhado	Clethra arborea W.T.Aiton	Clethraceae	10	naturalised
Kākawariki, Kanono, Kapukiore, Karamū-kueo, Kueo (fruit), Manono, Pāpāuma, Raurēkau, Toherāoa	Coprosma grandifolia Hook.f.	Rubiaceae	10	endemic
Cabbage tree, Giant dracena, Grass palm, Palm lily, Sago palm, Ti, Kāuka, Kiokio, Kōuka, Tī, Tī awe, Ti kōuka, Tī para, Tī pua, Tī rākau, Whanake	Cordyline australis (G.Forst.) Endl.	Asparagaceae	10	endemic
Tree tutu, Pūhou, Tāweku, Tūpākihi, Tutu	Coriaria arborea Linds.	Coriariaceae	10	endemic
Bentham's cornel, Himalayan strawberry tree, Strawberry dogwood	Cornus capitata Wall.	Cornaceae	10	naturalised
Red flowering gum, Scarlet flowering gum	Corymbia ficifolia (F.Muell.) K.D.Hill & L.A.S.Johnson	Myrtaceae	8	naturalised
Karaka nut, Karaka, Kōpī	Corynocarpus laevigatus J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.	Corynocarpaceae	10	endemic
Hawthorn, Neapolitan medlar, White hawthorn	Crataegus monogyna Jacq.	Rosaceae	10	naturalised
Monbretia, Crocosmia	Crocosmia ×crocosmiiflora (G.Nicholson) N.E.Br.	Iridaceae	10	naturalised
Japanese cedar, Sugi	Cryptomeria japonica (Thunb. ex L.f.) D.Don	Cupressaceae	9	naturalised
Alpine violet, Cyclamen, Persian violet, Sowbread	Cyclamen sp.	Primulaceae	7	cultivated
	Cymbidium sp.	Orchidaceae	7	cultivated
Dovetree, Ghost-tree, Handkerchief tree	Davidia involucrata Baill.	Cornaceae	10	cultivated
Persimon, Chinese persimmon, Date plum, Japanese persimmon, Kaki, Key fig	Diospyros kaki Thunb.	Ebenaceae	8	cultivated
Strawberry snowball tree	Dombeya cacuminum Hochr.	Malvaceae	10	cultivated
	Dracophyllum sinclairii Cheeseman	Ericaceae	9	endemic
	Dysoxylum sp. MARC	Meliaceae	9	cultivated
New Zealand mahogany, Kohe, Kohekohe, Koheriki, Kohepi (flowers), Kohepu (flowers), Māota (flowers)	Dysoxylum spectabile (G.Forst.) Hook.f.	Meliaceae	10	endemic
Hangehange, Hīnau, Pōkākā, Whīnau	Elaeocarpus dentatus (J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.) Vahl	Elaeocarpaceae	10	endemic
Hauama, Houama, Whau, Whauama, Whauma	Entelea arborescens R.Br.	Malvaceae	8	endemic
Escallonia	Escallonia sp.	Escalloniaceae	7	unknown
Bangalay, Southern mahogany	Eucalyptus botryoides Sm.	Myrtaceae	8	naturalised
Brown barrel, Cut tail	Eucalyptus fastigata H.Deane & Maiden	Myrtaceae	8	naturalised
Yellow stringybark	Eucalyptus muelleriana A.W.Howitt	Myrtaceae	9	naturalised
Black gum, Swamp gum	Eucalyptus ovata Labill.	Myrtaceae	9	naturalised
Giant gum, Mountain ash, Stringy gum, Swamp gum	Eucalyptus regnans F. Muell.	Myrtaceae	10	naturalised
Swamp mahogany	Eucalyptus robusta Sm.	Myrtaceae	8	naturalised
Sydney blue gum	Eucalyptus saligna Sm.	Myrtaceae	8	naturalised
	Euphorbia mellifera Aiton	Euphorbiaceae	10	naturalised
Common beech, European beech	Fagus sylvatica L.	Fagaceae	10	cultivated
Fatsia, Glossy-leaved paper plant, Japanese aralia, Rice paper plant, Yatsude	Fatsia japonica (Thunb.) Decne. & Planch.	Araliaceae	10	naturalised
Forsythia	Forsythia suspensa (Thunb.) Vahl	Oleaceae	10	cultivated
Fuchsia	Fuchsia ×hybrida Vilm.	Onagraceae	8	cultivated
Tree fuchsia, Hōnā (fruit), Kōhutuhutu, Kōnini (fruit), Kōtukutuku, Māti (fruit), Tākawa (fruit)	Fuchsia excorticata (J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.) L.f.	Onagraceae	10	endemic
Creeping fuchsia, Trailing fuchsia, Climbing fuchsia	Fuchsia procumbens A.Cunn.	Onagraceae	10	endemic
Silky oak	Grevillea robusta R.Br.	Proteaceae	8	naturalised
	Gunnera dentata Kirk	Gunneraceae	8	endemic
Shrubby haloragis, Toatoa	Haloragis erecta (Banks ex Murray) Oken	Haloragaceae	10	endemic
Red ginger lily	Hedychium greenii W. W. Sm.	Zingiberaceae	10	cultivated
Spanish shawl	Heeria rosea Triana	Anacardiaceae	10	cultivated
Swamp hibiscus	Hibiscus diversifolius Jacq.	Malvaceae	10	indigenous, non-endemic
Hibiscus, Rose mallow, Rose of China, Rose of Sharon, Shrub althea	Hibiscus sp. (cultivated)	Malvaceae	7	cultivated
Lacebark, Hohere, Hoihere, Houhere, Houhi, Houhi ongaonga, Houī, Ongaonga, Whauahi, Wheuhi	Hoheria populnea A.Cunn	Malvaceae	10	endemic
Hydrangea, Tea of heaven	Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) Ser. subsp. serrata (Thunb.) Makino	Hydrangeaceae	10	cultivated
	Hypericum sp, 'cultivated shrub'	Hypericaceae	7	cultivated
Mistletoe, Small-flowered mistletoe, Pikirangi, Pirinoa, Pirirangi, Pirita	Ileostylus micranthus (Hook.f.) Tiegh.	Loranthaceae	10	endemic
Japanese walnut	Juglans ailantifolia Carrière	Juglandaceae	8	naturalised
Common juniper	Juniperus communis L.	Cupressaceae	10	cultivated
New Zealand honeysuckle, Rewarewa	Knightia excelsa R.Br.	Proteaceae	9	endemic
White tea tree, Kānuka, Kōpuka, Manuea, Mānuka, Mānuka-rauriki, Mārū, Rauiri, Rauwiri	Kunzea ericoides s.l. (A.Rich.) Joy Thomps.	Myrtaceae	9	indigenous, non-endemic
Bay, Laurel, Sweet bay	Laurus nobilis L.	Lauraceae	10	naturalised
Liquid amber, Bilsted, Red gum, Sweet gum	Liquidambar styraciflua L.	Hamamelidaceae	10	naturalised
Tulip poplar, Tulip tree, Whitewood, Yellow poplar	Liriodendron tulipifera L.	Magnoliaceae	10	naturalised
Mangeao, Mangeo, Tangeao, Tangeo	Litsea calicaris (Sol. ex A.Cunn.) Benth. & Hook.f. ex Kirk	Lauraceae	10	endemic
New Zealand myrtle, Ramarama	Lophomyrtus bullata Burret	Myrtaceae	10	endemic
Brushbox, Vinegar tree, Brisbane box	Lophostemon confertus (R.Br.) Peter G.Wilson & J.T.Waterh.	Myrtaceae	8	cultivated
	Loropetalum sp. "Razzleberries"	Hamamelidaceae	10	cultivated
Chinese magnolia, Saucer magnolia, Soulange-Boudins magnolia	Magnolia ×soulangeana Soul.-Bod.	Magnoliaceae	10	cultivated
Apple, Crab-apple	Malus ×domestica Borkh.	Rosaceae	9	naturalised
Apple, Crab-apple	Malus sp.	Rosaceae	7	unknown
Crimson bottlebrush, Lemon bottlebrush	Melaleuca citrina (Curtis) Dum.Cours.	Myrtaceae	8	cultivated
Houkūmara, Koheriki, Tākaka, Tātaka, Wharangi, Wharangipiro	Melicope ternata J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.	Rutaceae	10	endemic
Puka, Pukanui	Meryta sinclairii Hook. f.) Seem.	Araliaceae	10	endemic
Bartlett's rata	Metrosideros bartlettii J.W.Dawson	Myrtaceae	10	endemic
White rata, Rātā	Metrosideros diffusa (G.Forst.) Sm.	Myrtaceae	10	endemic
New Zealand Christmas tree, Hutukawa, Kahika, Pohutukawa, Pōhutukawa, Rātā	Metrosideros excelsa Sol. ex Gaertn.	Myrtaceae	10	endemic
Clinging rata, Small white rata, Aka, Akatea, Akatorotoro, Koro, Torotoro, Whakapiopio	Metrosideros perforata (J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.) A.Rich.	Myrtaceae	10	endemic
Large-leaved muehlenbeckia, Pōhuehue, Puka	Muehlenbeckia australis (G.Forst.) Meisn.	Polygonaceae	10	indigenous, non-endemic
Scrub pohuehue, Small-leaved pohuehue, Wire vine, Pōhue, Pōhuehue, Pōpōhue, Tororaro, Waekāhu	Muehlenbeckia complexa (A.Cunn.) Meissn.	Polygonaceae	10	indigenous, non-endemic
Ngaio	Myoporum laetum G.Forst.	Scrophulariaceae	10	endemic
Red mapou, Red matipo, Māpau, Māpou, Mataira, Matipou, Takapou, Tāpau, Tīpau	Myrsine australis (A.Rich.) Allan	Primulaceae	10	endemic
Toro	Myrsine salicina Heward ex Hook.f.	Primulaceae	10	endemic
White maire, Maire, Maire raunui, Maire rauriki	Nestegis lanceolata (Hook.f.) L.A.S.Johnson	Oleaceae	10	endemic
Black gum, Black tupelo, Sour-gum	Nyssa sylvatica Marshall	Nyssaceae	10	cultivated
Black passionfruit, Purple granadilla, Purple passionfruit	Passiflora edulis Sims	Passifloraceae	10	naturalised
Banana passionfruit	Passiflora sp. 'banana passion fruit'	Passifloraceae	7	naturalised
Hanging geranium, Ivy-leaved geranium	Pelargonium peltatum (L.) L'H'er.	Geraniaceae	10	naturalised
Ahikōmau, Hine-kaikōmako, Kahikōmako, Kaikōmako	Pennantia corymbosa J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.	Pennantiaceae	10	endemic
Swamp willow weed, Tūtunāwai	Persicaria decipiens (R.Br.) K.L.Wilson	Polygonaceae	9	indigenous, non-endemic
Coastal flax, Mountain flax, Kōrari-tuauru, Wharariki	Phormium cookianum Le Jolis	Hemerocallidaceae	10	endemic
Flax, Lowland flax, New Zealand flax, Swamp flax, Harakeke, Harareke, Kōrari	Phormium tenax J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.	Hemerocallidaceae	10	endemic
Christmas berry	Photinia sp.	Rosaceae	6	unknown
Japanese pearl flower, Lily-of-the-valley-bush	Pieris japonica (Thunb.) D.Don ex G.Don	Ericaceae	10	naturalised
Monterey pine, Radiata pine	Pinus radiata D. Don	Pinaceae	10	naturalised
London plane	Platanus ×hispanica Mill. ex Münchh. var. 'Acerifolia'	Platanaceae	10	naturalised
Pale-flowered kumarahou, Kūmarahou, Kūmararaunui, Pāpapa	Pomaderris hamiltonii L.B.Moore	Rhamnaceae	10	endemic
Golden tainui, Gum-digger's soap, Kūmarahou, Kūmararaunui, Pāpapa	Pomaderris kumeraho A.Cunn.	Rhamnaceae	10	endemic
Aspen, Cottonwood, Poplar	Populus sp.	Salicaceae	7	naturalised
Cherry laurel	Prunus laurocerasus L.	Rosaceae	9	cultivated
Portugal laurel, Portugese laurel	Prunus lusitanica L.	Rosaceae	10	naturalised
Nectarine, Peach	Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.	Rosaceae	9	naturalised
Cherry	Prunus sp. 'cherry'	Rosaceae	7	naturalised
	Prunus sp. 'Red leaf'	Rosaceae	8	cultivated
Blue Douglas fir, Douglas fir, Oregon pine	Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco	Pinaceae	10	naturalised
Lowland horopito, Lowland pepper tree, Horopito, Puhikawa	Pseudowintera axillaris (J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.) Dandy	Winteraceae	10	endemic
Pin oak, Spanish oak	Quercus palustris Muenchh.	Fagaceae	10	naturalised
Common oak, English oak, Oak, Truffle oak	Quercus robur L.	Fagaceae	10	naturalised
Evergreen buckthorn, Italian buckthorn	Rhamnus alaternus L.	Rhamnaceae	10	naturalised
Azalea, Rhododendron	Rhododendron sp.	Ericaceae	7	unknown
Feather duster palm, Nikau palm, Nīkau	Rhopalostylis sapida H.Wendl. & Drude	Palmae	10	endemic
Rose	Rosa sp. 'cultivated'	Rosaceae	7	cultivated
Dock, Sorrel	Rumex sp.	Polygonaceae	7	unknown
Pussy willow	Salix ×reichardtii A.Kern.	Salicaceae	10	naturalised
Babylon weeping willow, Napoleon's willow, Weeping willow	Salix babylonica L.	Salicaceae	10	naturalised
Black elder, Elder, Elderberry	Sambucus nigra L.	Adoxaceae	10	naturalised
	Sassafras tzumu (Hemsl.) Hemsl.	Lauraceae	10	cultivated
	Saurauia subspinosa J. Anthony	Actinidiaceae	10	cultivated
Seven-finger, Kohi, Kotētē, Patate, Patatē, Patē, Patētē	Schefflera digitata J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.	Araliaceae	10	endemic
Californian redwood, Coast redwood	Sequoia sempervirens (D.Don) Endl.	Cupressaceae	10	naturalised
Caucasian bladdernut	Staphylea colchica Steven	Staphyleaceae	10	cultivated
Tall stewartia	Stewartia monadelpha Siebold & Zucc.	Theaceae	10	cultivated
Swamp maire, Maire tawake, Maire tawhake, Puka, Tuhuhi, Whāwhākou	Syzygium maire (A.Cunn.) Sykes & Garn.-Jones	Myrtaceae	10	endemic
Lilly pilly, Rose apple	Syzygium sp.	Myrtaceae	6	unknown
	Tibouchina granulosa (Desr.) Cogn.	Melastomataceae	10	cultivated
Henry's Lime	Tilia henryana Szyszyl.	Malvaceae	10	cultivated
Gorse	Ulex europaeus L.	Leguminosae	8	naturalised
Scotch elm, Wych elm	Ulmus glabra Mill.	Ulmaceae	10	naturalised
American blueberry, Blueberry, Highbush blueberry, Swamp blueberry	Vaccinium corybosum L.	Ericaceae	9	naturalised
Chinese wood-oil-tree, Tung-oil-tree	Vernicia fordii (Hemsl.) Airy Shaw	Euphorbiaceae	9	cultivated
Japanese snowball, Snowball tree	Viburnum plicatum Thunb.	Adoxaceae	10	naturalised
Laurustinus	Viburnum tinus L.	Adoxaceae	10	naturalised
Grape	Vitis vinifera L.	Vitaceae	10	naturalised
Tawhero, Tōwai	Weinmannia silvicola Sol. ex A.Cunn.	Cunoniaceae	10	endemic

Control

Where possible maximise the non-pesticide controls before considering pesticides. Pesticides can kill the natural enemies of Greenhouse thrips and of other potential pests of the plant. They can also harm pollinators.

Non-pesticide options

Plants vary greatly in their genetic susceptibility to Greenhouse thrips. The environment in which they are growing and the way they are managed can also influence the amount of Greenhouse thrips damage experienced by plants. Year-year differences in the summer and autumn weather can also influence the development of Greenhouse thrips populations and the damage done to plants.

A Where possible choose plant species that are not susceptible, or for susceptible species choose cultivars that are less susceptible.

B Greenhouse thrips does well in warm humid weather in summer and autumn.

. Encourage air movement around the plant to lower humidity within the plant.

. Train susceptible plants to keep them open.

. Avoid planting them in shady places.

C Plants stressed by drought and lack of nutrients are more susceptible to greenhouse thrips.

. Keep plants adequately watered and fertilised.

Pesticides

Pesticides can have adverse effects on natural enemies that provide beneficial control of other pests. They can also adversely affect honey bees and other pollinators. They should only be used when there is no other option.

Greenhouse thrips tend to live in protected places on leaves, such as where two leaves are close together, in hollows and where leaves are curled over. When using contact insecticides, it is important to get extremely good coverage of both sides of the leaves if you need to substantially reduce the thrips population.

Note that short-lived insecticides may not kill all the larvae hatching from eggs in the leaves. You may need two applications of short-lived insecticides to achieve long term control.

Home gardeners should consult their local Garden Centre about products suitable and safe to use on their plants. Commercial growers should consult their horticultural products supplier and their professional organisation.

Commercial Growers

If pesticides are required, growers should consult their professional organisation for guidance on pesticides that are allowed and how to minimise the adverse impact on other organisms in the crop. There may be an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for the crop that will provide comprehensive guidelines for dealing with all potential pest and disease problems.

Leaf of a rose, Rosa sp. (Rosaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JUF]

Leaf of Cherry, Prunus sp. (Rosaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JUH]

Leaf of Hibiscus, Hibiscus diversifolius. (Malvaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JUK]

Leaves ofCultivated fuchsia, Fuchsia x hybrid (Onagraceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Nicholas A. Martin. [Image: 2JVT]

Leaves of Ngaio, Myoporum laetum (Scrophulariaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JUS]

Leaf of Coastal flax, Phormium cookianum (Hemerocallidaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JV3]

Leaves of flax, Phormium sp. (Hemerocallidaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JVF]

Leaf of flax, Phormium sp. (Hemerocallidaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JVG]

Additional information

Classical biological control and safety testing

Classical biological control of a pest or weed involves the release of a natural enemy, parasite, predator or pathogen into another country where the pest or weed has established itself. Ideally, the natural enemy provides adequate control of the pest or weed, that it no longer a problem. Many such natural enemies have been released into New Zealand, and some have been very successful.

Today, a potential biological control agent must be tested for safety to native and beneficial organisms in New Zealand. An application to release the organism into New Zealand must be made to the Environmental Risk Management Agency (ERMA). ERMA has to assess the risks and benefits from the proposed release. Once permission for release has been granted, the organism is imported into quarantine and tested for freedom form diseases and parasites.

Safety testing for the Greenhouse thrips parasite, Thripobius javae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) focussed on its potential to parasitise the only endemic thrips in the subfamily Panchaetothripinae. All known host of the wasp are in this subfamily. The testing in quarantine compared the ability of the parasitoid to parasitize and successfully develop in greenhouse thrips larvae and Hangehange thrips, Sigmothrips aotearoana, larvae. Fewer Hangehange thrips larvae were parasitised and fewer wasps that pupated in Hangehange thrips became adults. The main problem with these laboratory experiments, was the relatively poor survival rate of the Hangehange thrips.

Reproduction and Parthenogenesis in Thysanoptera

In Thysanoptera, females are diploid (2 sets of chromosomes) and males are haploid (one set of chromosomes). Males are produced from unfertilised eggs. This type of reproduction is called Arrhenotoky. The proportion of males to females in a population is variable. In Palm thrips this appears to be related to temperature. In a warm greenhouse (25-28°C) there are very few males, 6-7 per 100 females, while in a cooler greenhouse (18-20°C) there are more males. Where there are very few or no males, females can reproduce without fertilisation. This is called Thelotoky, form of parthenogenesis. In populations where there are very few males there are probably two types of female present, Arrhenotokous and Thelotokous.

Palm thrips is the first species from the Thysanoptera order that was found to be capable of thelytokous parthenogenetic reproduction. This characteristic is contained in the Latin name of the genus, Parthenothrips.

Information sources

Bernardo U, Viggiani G, Sasso R. 2005. Biological parameters of Thripobius semiluteus Boucˇek (Hym., Eulophidae), a larval endoparasitoid of Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Bouche´) (Thysan., Thripidae). Journal of Applied Entomology 129 (5): 250-257.

Froud, K. J.; Stevens, P. S.; Cowley, D. R., 1996: A Potential Biological Control Agent for Greenhouse Thrips. Proceedings of the 49th New Zealand Plant Protection Society Conference, Palmerston North, 17-20.

Harris AC. 1994. Sphecidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera). Fauna of New Zealand. 32: 1-106.

Jamieson LE, Froud K, Edwards R, Stevens PS. 2008. Establishment of Thripobius javae (=semiluteus) in New Zealand. New Zealand Plant Protection. 61: 17-23.

Lewis T. 1973. Thrips their biology, ecology and economic importance. Academic Press, London, UK. Pp. 1-349.

Martin NA. 2016. Distinguishing feature of immature stages of Panchaetothripinae (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) known in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Zoology 43 (4): 1-8.

Martin NA. 2017. Host plants of Panchaetothripinae (Thysanoptera: Terebrantia: Thripidae) in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Zoology 44 (1): 1-8.

Martin NA, Mound LA. 2004. Host plants for some New Zealand thrips (Thysanoptera: Terebrantia). New Zealand Entomologist. 27: 119-123.

Mound LA, Walker AK. 1982. Terebrantia (Insecta: Thysanoptera). Fauna of New Zealand. 1: 1-113.

Plant-SyNZ: Invertebrate herbivore-host plant association database. plant-synz.landcareresearch.co.nz/

Acknowledgements

The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited (Plant & Food Research) for permission to use photographs.

Landcare Research New Zealand Limited (Landcare Research) for permission to use photographs.

Other images

Adults and juvenile of Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on a leaf of Golden tainui, Pomaderris kumeraho (Rhamnaceae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JU7]

Leaf of Whau, Entelea arborescens (Malvaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JUE]

Leaves of Pennantia corymbosa (Pennantiaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JV4]

Leaf of dock, Rumex sp. (Polygonaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JVC]

Leaves of Pseudowintera axillaris (Winteraceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JVD]

Leave of dock, Rumex sp. (Polygonaceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JVB]

Underside of leaves of Pseudowintera axillaris (Winteraceae) with damage caused by feeding by Greenhouse thrips, Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Creator: Nicholas A. Martin. © Plant & Food Research. [Image: 2JVE]

Update history

1 August 2018, NA Martin. Update Host plant list, photos host plants and of adult parasitoid added.

14 September 2017. NA Martin. Life stages text changed to say males are sometimes found in New Zealand.

INTERESTING INSECTS

and other invertebrates