Integrated Pest Management

Hemp Arthropods:

Several arthropod pests feed on hemp plants and some of them may cause yield and quality loss. Major arthropod pest groups that can have an economic impact include: 1) Hemipteran: beet leafhoppers, cannabis aphids and rice root aphids, 2) Lepidopteran: corn earworm and tobacco budworm and 3) Acari: hemp russet mite and spider mite.

Beet Leafhoppers

This insect vectors beet curly top virus on a wide array of agricultural crops including sugar beet, tomato and hemp. This insect is a concerning hemp pest issue in Western United States. Below are important links about how to identify, monitor and mange this pest in hemp production systems.

Beet Curly Top Virus in Hemp
Western IPM Center | June 2023

Monitoring for beet leafhopper adults helps halt spread of plant virus
Govinda Shrestha | June 2022

Beet Curly Top Virus In Industrial Hemp
Jiahuai Hu | Robert Masson | June 2021

Cannabis aphids

The cannabis aphid is one of the most damaging aphids for hemp grown under indoor production systems. This aphid feeds only on hemp and widespread across United States. It can be found on feeding the leaves, stems and flower buds of hemp plants and affect plant growth and performance. Below are important links about how to identify, monitor and manage this pest in hemp production systems.

Pest Alert: Cannabis or bhang aphid
Oregon Department of Agriculture | December 2017

Hemp-Aphids
Govinda Shrestha | March 2023

Evaluation of Biological Insecticides to Manage Cannabis Aphid in CBD Hemp
Kadie E. Britt | Thomas P. Kuhar | 2019

Rice root aphids

Rice root aphids can be most damaging aphids under indoor hemp production systems. As the name suggests, this aphid feeds on roots, found below ground or at the base of the hemp plant. Below are important links about how to identify, monitor and manage this pest in hemp production systems.

Rice Root Aphid

Cannabis sativa as a Host of Rice Root Aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in North America
Whitney S. Cranshaw | Suzanne Wainwright-Evans | July 2020

Corn Earworm and Tobacco Budworm

The corn earworm and tobacco budworm caterpillars are important pests for outdoor floral hemp production. The caterpillars feed on floral parts (mainly flower buds) of hemp plants. Their feeding on flower buds creates extensive bud tunneling and wounds, allowing pathogens to invade that can aid development and presence of bud rot. Below are important links about how to identify, monitor and manage this pest in hemp production systems.

Evaluation of Biological Insecticides to Manage Corn Earworm in CBD Hemp
Kadie E. Britt | T. David Reed | Thomas P. Kuhar | 2020

Corn earworm management in hemp
Govinda Shrestha | August 2022

Corn Earworm and Tobacco Budworm in Industrial Hemp
Melissa Pulkoski | Hannah Burrack | July 2020

Hemp Russet Mites and Two Spotted Spider Mites

Hemp russet mites and two spotted spider mites are two concerning pests for hemp plants grown under greenhouse conditions. They feed on fluids from the outer plant surface cells on leaves, petioles and shoot tips, and cause various type of damages in plant. Below are important links about how to identify, monitor and manage this pest in hemp production systems.

Hemp Russet Mite
Colorado State University

Twospotted Spider Mite
Colorado State University

Hemp Diseases

Late-season Foliar Diseases in Hemp: Sclerotinia and Botrytis Diseases
Cynthia M. Ocamb | September 2023
Aspergillus ecology and mitigation strategies in hemp production
Qingyang Wang | Cynthia M. Ocamb | Govinda Shrestha | September 2023
What to consider to minimize root rot and damping-off in hemp
Cynthia M. Ocamb | July 2023
How to minimize crop loss in hemp from beet leafhopper and beet curly top virus
Govinda Shrestha | Cynthia M. Ocamb | July 2023
Hemp Disease Workshop
Cynthia M. Ocamb | Govinda Shrestha | May 2023
How to prevent gray mold in hemp
Cynthia M. Ocamb | September 2022
Management of powdery mildew on hemp in the Pacific Northwest
Cynthia M. Ocamb | August 2022