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Q&A ViewAttendees 7

Member Symposium

Acarology in Sustainable Agriculture

Challenges associated with mite pest management in Cannabis

Sunday, October 31, 2021
3:05 PM – 3:20 PM MT
Location: Colorado Convention Center, Meeting Room 405-407
In-Person

    Presenting Author(s)

  • LR

    Lucas Raymond

    Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
    Blacksburg, Virginia

    • Co-Author(s)

  • Kadie Elizabeth Britt

    Postdoctoral Scholar
    University of California
    Fresno, California

  • Thomas P. Kuhar

    Professor
    Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
    Blacksburg, Virginia

  • Houston Wilson

    Asst. Cooperative Extension Specialist
    University of California
    Parlier, California

  • BC

    Brian Currin

    Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
    Blacksburg, Virginia

The legalization of Cannabis sativa in the United States has introduced a unique and potentially profitable crop into the agricultural landscape. Many growers have experimented with production over the past several years. While there is much excitement, there are still many hindrances to successful crop growth and cultivation, particularly with regards to integrated pest management strategies. Much remains unknown about best management practices in cannabis, including strategies for the management of mite pests. Several mite species have been observed in cannabis such as hemp russet mite, Aculops cannabicola (Farkas), twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, and broad mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks). Twospotted spider mite and broad mite are generalists and information on their management in other crops is a helpful starting point for management in cannabis. Hemp russet mite, a specialist mite that feeds and reproduces exclusively on cannabis, is a greater challenge because little is known about its life cycle, biology, and life history. Studies are underway to investigate short- and long-term pest management strategies for these mites in cannabis.