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Research Project: Exotic Whitefly and Subtropical Invasive Pests of Vegetables and Ornamental Plants

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Title: Arthropods pests of hemp, cannabis sativa l. in Florida

Author
item Ahmed, Muhammad
item McKenzie, Cindy
item OSBORNE, LANCE - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Rapid Release Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/22/2022
Publication Date: 5/22/2022
Citation: Ahmed, M.Z., Mckenzie, C.L., Osborne, L. 2022. Arthropods pests of hemp, cannabis sativa l. in Florida. Field Guide. https://programs.ifas.ufl.edu/media/programsifasufledu/hemp/files/2022/Hempfieldguide.pdf

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Hemp, Cannabis sativa L. cultivation has begun in Florida, and C. sativa receives diverse arthropod pest species. Pest identification is often the last entity growers ponder until it is too late. The primary step for pest management and inspection strategies is to identify what type of pests can be found on C. sativa. This study aims to list all arthropod species reported from C. sativa in Florida to help growers understand the species diversity on C. sativa. One hundred forty-four arthropods species in Florida are reported on C. sativa. They are from the following insect orders in descending order: Hemiptera (61), Lepidoptera (24), Coleoptera (18), Thysanoptera (9), Orthoptera (6), Hymenoptera (5), Diptera (3), Psocoptera(2), Dermaptera (1), and from following non-insect groups in descending order: Trombidiformes (order) (8), Entomobryomorpha (suborder) (3), Sarcoptiformes (order) (2), and Mollusca (Phylum) (2). Out of 144, 35 have limited, 23 moderate, 86 widespread distribution in Florida. There were 45 species already reported in McPartland et al. (2000), 40 in other published literature, and 59 are being reported for the first time. Even though there are 144 species reported from C. sativa in Florida, not all can reproduce, complete the life cycle, and can cause damage to C. sativa. Therefore, we divided them into three categories based on their pest potential, 12 as a major pest, 126 minor, four minor to major based on the criteria in this study. Our list will help growers know what species are already known on C. sativa in Florida to watch incoming C. sativa pests. In addition, we included quality images identified at the lowest possible taxonomic levels. This will help new growers scout the C. sativaregardless of their previous background and let them know the arthropod species commonly shared among different commercial crops in Florida. We also proposed and discussed a management plan for arthropod pest species on C. sativa to help growers in Florida.