Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Forage Seed and Cereal Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #430210
Research Project: Optimizing and Stabilizing Economic and Ecological Sustainability of Pacific Northwest Seed Cropping Systems Under Current and Future Climate Conditions

Location: Forage Seed and Cereal Research Unit

Title: Evaluating the impact of terpene and cannabinoid variation in hemp (Cannabis Sativa L) germplasm on Helicoverpa zea oviposition and larval fitness

Author
item PANDEY, SAMIKSHYA - Oregon State University
item STOWERS-FANN, KIANI - Oregon State University
item DURINGER, JENNIFER - Oregon State University
item BALUCH, STEPHEN - Oregon State University
item WALTON, VAUGHN - Oregon State University
item Dorman, Seth
item SHRESTHA, GOVINDA - Oregon State University

Submitted to: Journal of Pest Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/30/2026
Publication Date: 5/13/2026
Citation: Pandey, S., Stowers-Fann, K., Duringer, J., Baluch, S., Walton, V.M., Dorman, S.J., Shrestha, G. 2026. Evaluating the impact of terpene and cannabinoid variation in hemp (Cannabis Sativa L) germplasm on Helicoverpa zea oviposition and larval fitness. Journal of Pest Science. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-026-02044-y.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-026-02044-y

Interpretive Summary: Corn earworm is a major moth pest of floral hemp grown for cannabidiol (CBD) production. Hemp production was federally legalized in the United States in 2018, and research on sustainable pest management strategies, including host plant resistance, is strongly needed. We evaluated floral hemp germplasm developed at Oregon State University for potential host plant resistance to corn earworm. Morphological traits (flower structure) and chemical composition (cannabinoids and terpenes) were evaluated to assess their role in antixenosis (egg laying preference) and antibiosis (larval performance). Moth egg laying preference was measured as the number of eggs laid per plant in no-choice assays, and larval performance was measured through survival and pupal weight. Results showed significant variation among the genetic lines evaluated. Specifically, the Blacklands Botanical CBG line was highly preferred for oviposition and had the lowest median larval survival. In contrast, the Wife/Cherry Wine line was the least preferred for oviposition with moderate larval survival. No relation between moth preference and larval fitness was observed. Total terpene content varied significantly among germplasm; still, these differences did not directly affect insect behavior or performance. However, higher CBD concentrations in plant flowers were associated with lower larval survival. Morphological traits, including flower size and trichome type, may influence adult moth behavior. Our findings indicate that both floral chemistry and morphology contribute to plant resistance to corn earworm and can serve as a reference point for future research in breeding resistant lines.

Technical Abstract: Helicoverpa zea (Boddie, 1850), commonly known as corn earworm, is an economic lepidopteran pest of floral hemp (Cannabis sativa) grown for cannabidiol (CBD) production. Hemp production was federally legalized in the United States in 2018, and research on sustainable pest management strategies in this system, including host plant resistance, is strongly needed. We evaluated floral hemp germplasm (n = 7 genetic lines) developed at Oregon State University for potential host plant resistance to H. zea. Morphological traits (flower structure) and chemical composition (cannabinoids and terpenes) were evaluated to assess their role in antixenosis (oviposition preference) and antibiosis (larval performance). Moth oviposition preference was measured as the number of eggs laid per plant in no-choice assays, and larval performance was measured through survival and pupal weight. Results showed significant variation among germplasm. Specifically, the Blacklands Botanical CBG line was highly preferred for oviposition and had the lowest median larval survival. In contrast, the Wife/Cherry Wine line was the least preferred for oviposition with moderate larval survival. No relation between moth preference and larval fitness was observed. Total terpene content varied significantly among germplasm; still, these differences did not directly affect insect behavior or performance. However, higher CBD concentrations in plant flowers were associated with lower larval survival. Morphological traits, including flower size and trichome type, may influence adult moth behavior. Our findings indicate that both floral chemistry and morphology contribute to plant resistance to H. zea and can serve as a reference point for future research in breeding resistant lines.