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Hemp cannabinoids may have evolved to deter insect pests

Two hemp plants growing in a garden.
Cannabinoid-producing plant (left) with very little insect damage adjacent to cannabinoid-free plant (right) that has been completely defoliated by insects. Photo by George Stack.
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By Krishna Ramanujan, Cornell Chronicle
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  • School of Integrative Plant Science
  • Cornell AgriTech
  • Plant Breeding and Genetics Section
  • Plant Biology Section
  • Department of Entomology
Cannabinoids, naturally occurring compounds found in hemp plants, may have evolved to deter pests from chewing on them, according to experiments that showed higher cannabinoid concentrations in hemp leaves led to proportionately less damage from insect larvae.

Cannabinoids, naturally occurring compounds found in hemp plants, may have evolved to deter pests from chewing on them, according to experiments that showed higher cannabinoid concentrations in hemp leaves led to proportionately less damage from insect larvae.

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