The Comparative Effect of Cannabidiol Oil vs Common Lady Beetle Pesticide on the Life of Hippodamia convergens and Brassica rapa

Synthetic pesticides are very prominently used in agriculture. The increase in their use has caused an increase in environmental negative effects (Rattner, 2009). As a potential solution, biopesticides, derived from natural plant products, are gaining attention for their reduced toxicity and environmental impact. This study investigates the effectiveness of CBD oil, a plant-based compound, as a biopesticide alternative. Using Brassica rapa plants and ladybugs as model organisms, the research examines CBD oil's impact on plant health, insect behavior, and pest control efficacy. 30 Brassica rapa and Hippodamia convergens were seperated into two groups in seperate containers to limit pesticidal drift on a smaller scale. Every two hours for four hours each pesticidal agent was sprayed on each container and ladybug mortality was examined to determine the efficacy of Cannibdiol oil compared to a synthethic pesticide. The results of this experiment were determined insignificant based on a T- test ran with an alpha value of 0.05 and a p value > 0.05. The results suggest that CBD oil could serve as a viable, plant-safe biopesticide, offering a promising alternative to traditional synthetic pesticides. These findings contribute to the ongoing search for sustainable agricultural practices and emphasize the importance of natural solutions in pest management.