Key to Heliothrips species

1. Metascutal triangle with posteromarginal flange absent, or not reaching anterior margin of metascutellum (Fig. 2); abdominal tergite I with median minute setal pair arising on reticulate area (Fig. 2); tergites III–VIII with reticulation in front of antecostal ridge weakly developed or absent (Fig. 9)......................................................... similis sp.n.

-. Metascutal triangle with posteromarginal flange extending over anterior margin of metascutellum (Fig. 1); tergite I with median minute setal pair arising anterior to reticulate area (Fig. 1); tergites III–VIII with reticulation in front of antecostal ridge strongly developed (Fig. 8).............................................................................. 2

2. Femora dark brown; antennal segment VI dark brown with base slightly paler; antennal segment IV 0.65 as long as III (Fig. 6), with ventral sense cone 0.75 as long as segment......................................................... zucchi

-. Femora yellow; antennal segment VI yellow at least in basal half; antennal segment IV 0.75 as long as III (Fig. 4), with ventral sense cone no more than 0.5 as long as segment................................................. haemorrhoidalis