Integrated Pest Management Guide

CBD Seed Labs Integrated Pest Management Guide (Plain Text)

Key Aspects: 

  • Scout fields daily for pest damage and outbreaks 

  • Identify pest or pathogen and treat accordingly 

  • Isolate or remove contaminated areas 

  • Be sure to remove all pests/pathogens before 

  • harvesting crop 

CANNABIS APHIDS 

Description 

  • Small insect but still visible by eye, with piercing-sucking mouths 

  • Cream colored or light green 

  • Can be winged or non-winged 

Damage 

  • Sucks out plant sap, leading to discolored foliage and suppressed growth 

  • Secreted sap results in sooty mold

Management 

  • Remove infestation carefully by hand and place in bucket (try not to spread to other plants) 

  • Colonies can be found on the undersides of leaves 

  • Look for glossy shine on top of leaves, this is their secreted sap and indicates an infestation 

  • Be on lookout for ants, as they are attracted to the sugary secretion

CATERPILLARS

Description 

  • Green, brown, or red caterpillars with black lines on backside 

  • Are seasonal migrants, from June - August 

Damage 

  • Larvae are implanted deep within the flower 

  • Once hatched the earworm will feed on the bud and leave droppings 

  • These droppings will rot the bud and spread botrytis 

  • Botrytis will further damage your crop and create another problem 

Management

  • Remove rotted buds and try to locate the worm 

  • Trace droppings to source and eliminate the worm 

  • If infestation is mass spread, consider using an insecticide caterpillar killer 

  • Reapply as needed

MITES

Description

Hemp Russet Mites-

  • tiny white elongated bodies, not visible without magnification 

Two-Spotted Spider Mites-

  • slightly larger yellow-green oval bodies with spots 

Damage 

Hemp Russet Mites-

  • Causes leaves to curl, discolor, and become brittle 

  • Can reduce flower size 

Two-Spotted Spider Mites-

  • Causes small white specs on leaves, giving a sandpaper appearance 

  • Plants can become covered in webbing significantly compromising plant health 

Management 

  • Mites thrive during drought periods and can be spread easily with heavy winds 

  • Scout fields thoroughly if crop experiences such conditions 

  • Infestation usually occurs around field edges 

  • Remove affected area carefully by hand and place in bucket (try not to spread to other plants) 

  • Use a safe and organic mitcite (ex. Dr. Zymes) to spray on plants 

  • Repeat applications as needed until all living mites and its eggs are eliminated

LEAFHOPPERS 

Description 

  • Wedge like insects around 1/2in Can be various colors of green, brown, or gray to multi-colored 

  • Adults have wings and fly away when disturbed 

Damage 

  • Sucks out plant sap, leading to discolored foliage with yellow/white speckles 

  • Suppressed plant growth 

  • Injects toxic saliva into plant material 

  • Excretes honeydew which can attract ants and leads to fungal pathogens 

Management

  • Catch and remove leafhoppers by hand if possible 

  • To eliminate larvae, consider using - insecticidal soap, pyrethrum spray, diatomaceous earth, and neem oil 

Pathogens 

STEM AND ROOT ROT

Description 

  • Typically the lower part of the stem becomes necrotic and brown 

  • More common during early stages of growth cycle 

  • Caused by fungal pathogens- Fusarium spp, Pythium spp, and Botrytis 

  • Occurs during overwatering and non draining soil

Damage 

  • Plant is unhealthy and unable to grow

Management 

  • Remove affected plant carefully and avoid spreading pathogens to surrounding plants 

  • Avoid overwatering, and maintain well draining soil

BOTRYTIS (GRAY MOLD/ BUD ROT) 

Description 

  • Found in soil, dead plants, or injured tissue 

  • Occurs during high humidity and limited air flow

Damage 

  • Bud and stem become necrotic and dies 

  • Spores can easily spread, affecting mass areas 

Management 

  • Cut out any bud rot and then spray with a fungicide 

  • Repeat applications as needed 

  • Spores will tend to pop up and continue spread 

  • Vigilantly scan crop and address immediately and effectively 

  • Increase airflow and avoid planting too close together

POWDERY MILDEW 

Description 

  • White fungus on top of leaves 

  • Develops during high humidity and low air circulation 

Damage 

  • Reduces plant growth and bud quality

Management 

  • Remove and destroy affected areas