Heliothrips Haliday

Only three extant species are here recognized in this genus, although two further names are listed in ThripsWiki (2015). One of these, H. ardisiae Zimmermann, is an unrecognizable nomen dubium from Java, and the other a fossil species in Baltic Amber. The three species are all Neotropical in origin, with one South African species previously placed here referred below to a new genus. The species of Heliothrips have 8-segmented antennae with segment VIII elongate (Figs 4–6), simple sense cones on segments III and IV, fore wing with apex rounded, the costal margin with long cilia, and the costal and first veins fused and bearing minute setae (Fig. 13). An identification key to the world genera of Panchaetothripinae is provided by Wilson (1975).

Diagnosis: Macropterous, body surface dark brown when mature, strongly reticulate. Antennae 8-segmented, III and IV each with one simple sense cone, VIII longer than VII, segments with no microtrichia. Head with short neck, compound eyes with 6 pigmented facets; maxillary palps 2-segmented. Pronotum transverse, with no long setae. Metascutum with prominent sculptured triangle. Fore wing apex round, costal vein fused to first longitudinal vein and bearing long cilia, veinal setae inconspicuous. Tarsi 1-segmented. Abdominal tergites reticulate except sub-medially on III–VII, with strong antecostal ridge; VIII with long comb of microtrichia complete medially, VII with comb weak and irregular medially; tergal median setae longer than distance between their bases, submedian setae arise close to campaniform sensilla; IX and X bearing microtrichia, at least near posterior margins, X divided longitudinally. Male tergite IX with 3 pairs of stout setae; sternites III–VII each with transverse pore plate.