Female macropterous; mature colour dark brown (abdomen golden in less mature adults), legs yellow; antennal segments III–V and VII–VIII yellow, VI brown in apical half; forewing pale with hind margin shaded. Head strongly reticulate, cheeks constricted at base. Antennal segments III and IV with simple sensorium; VIII much longer than VII. Pronotum reticulate. Metanotum with strongly reticulate triangle, median setae small on anterior half of sclerite. Forewing with apex rounded bearing two long cilia; costa with long cilia, posteromarginal cilia not wavy; veinal setae not much larger than surface microtrichia. Abdominal tergites II–VIII median setae long and close together; VIII with long posteromarginal comb; X short median split complete.
The genus Heliothrips includes three recognisable species, one from South Africa and two from South America of which H. haemorrhoidalis is now worldwide. Probably originally from Peru near the western border of Brazil, the most closely related species is H. zucchii from the south east of Brazil.
Known as the Greenhouse Thrips in temperate areas, this species occurs worldwide in the tropics and sub-tropics but originated in South America in the region of the border between Peru and Brazil.
Recorded from all Australian States, including Tasmania and Lord Howe Island.
Associated with many different plant species, including tea, Pinus, ferns.
Adults, larvae and pupae are sometimes abundant on older senescing leaves, often on plants growing suboptimally. A very large population in eastern Australia was observed on tree ferns (Dicksonia antarctica) under water stress due to flooding.