Arthropod and mollusk pests of hemp, cannabis sativa (rosales: cannabaceae), and their management plan in Florida

Authors: Ahmed, Muhammad; McKenzie, Cindy; OSBORNE, LANCE - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Journal of Integrated Pest Management
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/21/2023
Publication Date: 12/26/2023
Citation: Ahmed, M.Z., Mckenzie, C.L., Osborne, L. Arthropod and mollusk pests of hemp, cannabis sativa (rosales: cannabaceae), and their management plan in Florida. Journal of Integrated Pest Management. 15(1):1, 1-22. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1093/jipm/pmad028.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jipm/pmad028

Interpretive Summary: Hemp cultivation has begun in Florida, and hemp 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 hemp. This study aims to list all arthropod species reported from hemp in Florida to help growers understand the species diversity on hemp. One hundred forty-four arthropod species in Florida are reported on hemp. This will help new growers scout the hemp regardless 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 hemp to help growers in Florida.

Technical Abstract: The primary step for pest management is to know what pests can be found on the crop. Hemp, Cannabis sativa L. cultivation has begun in Florida, and hemp has receives one of the most diverse pest complexes globally. Pest identification is often the last entity growers ponder until it is too late. This study aims to list all arthropod and Mollusk species reported from hemp in Florida so far. One hundred forty-four arthropod and Mollusk species are reported from hemp in Florida. They are from the following insect orders: Hemiptera (65), Lepidoptera (26), Coleoptera (17), Thysanoptera (9), Orthoptera (6), Hymenoptera (5), Diptera (4), Dermaptera (1), and from following two non-insect orders: Trombidiformes (Arthropoda) (9) and Stylommatophora (Mollusca) (2). There were 77 species already reported in published literature, and 67 are being reported for the first time. Even though there are 144 species in Florida that are/were reported from hemp, not all can reproduce, complete the life cycle, and cause damage to hemp. Therefore, we divided them into three categories based on their pest potential, 20 as major, 118 minor, six minor to major pests based on the criteria developed in this study. We included representative images of 31 families from nine orders of insects and non-insects. We encountered several issues during our literature review and provided the examples and lessons we learned during this study. In addition, we pointed out future challenges related to hemp pest diagnostics and provided easy-to-follow field diagnostics keys. This will help extension agents, growers, regulators, and researchers scout and inspect hemp regardless of their previous background and let them know the hemp pest species commonly found in Florida. We proposed and discussed a management plan for pest species on hemp in Florida. Our pest list and management plan will help manage hemp pests in the field and regulate incoming pests in Florida.