Subject: What’s this Hopper on my Cannabis?
Location: Mount Washington, Los Angeles, California
July 8, 2019 7:51 am
Subject: Hi Bugman,
As my Cannabis plants grow larger, I’ve noticed that many of the plants have predators on them. In addition to the Mantid I submitted earlier this year, I am happy to report that four of my plants have mantids on them and several have Green Lynx Spiders as well. Can you please identify the hopping insect that I have found on my plants this year. One of the images of the Green Lynx Spiders I am sending has it eating an immature hopping insect, though it is difficult to see. The other image is of a winged adult.
Thanks
Signature: Constant Gardener
Dear Constant Gardener,
Thanks so much for keeping our readers informed about your thriving Cannabis ecosystem. The adult hopping insect is a Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter, and according to BugGuide: “The biggest problem is that it can spread the disease-causing bacterium Xylella fastidiosa. The most important biocontrols are egg-parasite wasps in the genus Gonatocerus. Spiders, assassin bugs, and praying mantis prey on the mobile forms.” Several years ago, we received a report of Glassy-Winged Sharpshooters, Homalodisca vitripennis, on marijuana. According to the University of California Integrated Pest Management Program site: “The glassy-winged sharpshooter is found in many habitats, including agricultural crops, urban landscapes, native woodlands, and riparian vegetation. It feeds on hundreds of plant species across dozens of plant families. Hosts include numerous common woody plants as well as annual and perennial herbaceous plants. It is common to find this insect on acacia, avocado, eucalyptus, citrus, crepe myrtle, heavenly bamboo, grape, photinia, pittosporum, hibiscus, periwinkle, xylosma, some roses, and many others. Host preference changes throughout the year, depending on the availability and nutritional value of host plants. Some hosts are preferred for feeding while others are preferred for reproduction. Irrigation level and fertilizer additions can also impact the attractiveness of hosts for sharpshooters.” There is no mention of Cannabis. We presume the nymph being eaten by the Green Lynx Spider is a member of the same species.
