Habitat
The greenhouse thrip has some varied habitats. Since
the greenhouse thrip feeds on leaves and flower blossoms it is
mostly found on or near these places. These little insects
can be found in warm climates as well as in greenhouses
(Wigglesworth 1964).
It has been recored in 41 coutries around the world but is
believed to have originated in South America. Greenhouse thrips
are now believed to inhabit tropical, sub-tropical and temperate
climate areas (Arnett 1985). This
particular thrip can be spotted
under leaves, on flower blossoms and under bark in temperate
areas summer months and in greenhouses year round (Dunn 1996). In
greenhouses this organism can be a big problem. Heliothrips Haemorrhoidalis has over 100 host plants. The
greenhouse thrips normally eat the leaves of a plant and the
pierced tissues of the plant that the thrip does not get through
bleach and eventually turn brown (Arnett 1985). Most of the
plants that this organism feeds on are ornamental plants.
Often greenhouse thrips are found on perennials, usually those
with harder leaves, including avocado, azalea, hypericum, laurel
(English and Grecian), photinia, and rhododendron (Eiseman and
Charney 2010).
Another telling sign that Heliothrips Heamorrhoidalis (bouche)
has been present is the appearance of small black specks of
feces on the leaves of a plant (Morse and Hoddle 2006).