Abstract
Greenhouse thrips (Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis)(Thysanoptera : Terebrantia) damage citrus, avocados and ornamental plants in New Zealand. A potential biological control agent, Thripobius semiluteus, (Hymenoptera : Eulophidae) has been imported into quarantine from California. This parasitoid attacks first instar and to a lesser extent second instar H. haemorrhoidalis larvae. Some aspects of the host/ parasitoid relationship are described. Host records from India, Australia, Africa, North and South America have demonstrated that T. semiluteus only parasitises thrips within the subfamily Panchaetothripinae. Sigmothrips aotearoana is the only endemic species of Panchaetothripinae in New Zealand and has been collected from native vegetation. Laboratory experiments have shown that T. semiluteus can parasitise and complete development in S. aotearoana. However, when T. semiluteus is offered a choice between S. aotearoana and greenhouse thrips, significantly more greenhouse thrips are parasitised and significantly more parasitoids successfully complete development on
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