D3279: Hemp extracts and their insecticidal impact on Myzus persicae (Aphididae: Hemiptera)

The green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) is a polyphagous insect pest that affects multiple crops throughout the world. In recent years, green peach aphid insecticide resistance has been reported which is why novel management alternatives are needed. Biopesticides serve as an environmentally safe alternative against pests, and some are derived from secondary metabolites used by the plants as defensive compounds against herbivores. Hemp (Cannabis sativa) is known to produce a wide variety of metabolites that may be toxic towards insects. The objective of this study is to elucidate the insecticidal effects of hemp extracts against green peach aphids. We hypothesize that hemp extracts contain compounds that will cause mortality to aphids. Hemp extract exposure was done through topical applications on third instar aphid nymphs at different concentrations to generate a concentration-response curve. Our results demonstrate that hemp extracts negatively impacted aphid survival, showing high mortality values at low concentrations. This suggest that hemp extracts may contain compounds that have the potential to be used as biopesticide against agriculture pests. Future evaluations are needed to identify the active compound in hemp extracts responsible for causing these toxic effects.