Cannabis aphid (Phorodon cannabis) has rapidly become one of the most challenging insect pests for cannabis growers to manage. As its host range is limited to just Cannabis sativa, we have limited knowledge about its biology and lack targeted management strategies. With strict regulations on chemical control and consumer preference for pesticide free cannabis, biological control has been widely adopted by the cannabis industry for the management of insect pests. Four commercially available parasitoids (Aphidius ervi, Aphidius matricariae, Aphidius colemani, and Aphelinus abdominalis) can completed their lifecycle on cannabis aphid. Yet, it remains unknown which parasitoid species is most effective at managing this pest. Our research is focused on determining the most effective parasitoid for the management of cannabis aphid and the development of cannabis specific biological control strategies. This includes evaluating both “naïve” parasitoids (i.e., parasitoids received directly from a supplier having no experience with cannabis or cannabis aphid) and “experienced” parasitoids (i.e., parasitoids reared on cannabis aphid on cannabis). This information will allow cannabis growers to select the most effective parasitoids and optimize their biological control programs to manage this novel pest. Additionally, we are investigating the effects of volatile terpenes on the foraging behaviour of Aphidius sp. parasitoids. Through this, we hope to further understand how foraging parasitoids navigate the olfactory noise of volatile terpenes produced by cannabis plants.
