Cannabis-pest
Guides
Aculops cannabicola
hemp russet mite, HRM
Aculops cannabicola, the hemp russet mite, is a highly specialized eriophyoid mite and among the most serious pests of Cannabis sativa. First described from Hungary in 1960, it has since been detected across multiple continents including North America, Central Asia, and Europe, with its first Italian record in 2021. The mite causes distinctive rust-colored damage to leaves, curling of leaf edges, and russeting, and can reduce flower and seed production by 50-90%. It feeds on all plant parts including leaves, petioles, inflorescences of both sexes, and glandular trichomes, drastically reducing resin production. Control is notoriously difficult; the mite persists year-round in dry, warm habitats and complete eradication typically requires destroying all plants and sterilizing surfaces.
Phorodon
Phorodon is a genus of aphids in the family Aphididae containing at least two economically significant species: Phorodon humuli (damson-hop aphid) and Phorodon cannabis (cannabis aphid). The genus exhibits host specialization, with P. humuli feeding on hop (Humulus lupulus) and P. cannabis restricted to hemp and cannabis (Cannabis sativa). Both species are recognized agricultural pests in their respective cropping systems. P. humuli has been extensively studied for insecticide resistance mechanisms involving elevated esterase activity, while P. cannabis has emerged as a concern in the expanding North American hemp industry following legalization.
Polyphagotarsonemus latus
Broad Mite, Yellow Tea Mite, Citrus Silver Mite
Polyphagotarsonemus latus, commonly known as the broad mite, is a microscopic tarsonemid mite with a cosmopolitan distribution and an exceptionally broad host range spanning over 60 plant families. First described from mango in a Washington, D.C. greenhouse in 1904, it has become a significant agricultural pest affecting crops including cotton, soybean, peppers, strawberries, blackberries, citrus, tea, coffee, and increasingly, cannabis and hemp. The mite feeds on young, tender plant tissues, causing characteristic damage including leaf stunting, twisting, and distortion that resembles auxin herbicide injury. It thrives in greenhouse environments and tropical to subtropical climates, with development occurring between 10–36°C at high humidity. Management relies on acaricides and biological control using predatory mites such as Amblyseius swirskii, Neoseiulus californicus, and A. orientalis.
Rhopalosiphum rufiabdominale
rice root aphid, red rice root aphid
Rhopalosiphum rufiabdominale is a globally distributed root-feeding aphid pest with a remarkably broad host range spanning 22 plant families. Native to East Asia, it has established populations across every continent except Antarctica. The species exhibits a heteroecious holocyclic life cycle in its native range, alternating between Prunus species (primary hosts) and herbaceous plant roots (secondary hosts), though asexual reproduction dominates in temperate regions and protected cultivation. Its subterranean habit makes detection difficult and management challenging. The aphid vectors several economically important plant viruses including barley yellow dwarf virus and sugarcane yellow leaf virus, and has emerged as a significant pest of indoor-grown cannabis in North America.