// Definition
Using predatory insects and organisms to control pest populations in cannabis cultivation, including ladybeetle larvae, lacewing larvae, and parasitic wasps, rather than chemical pesticides.
// From the Episode
Matthew explained that praying mantises are largely ineffective for cannabis IPM -- most pests are too small for adult mantises. Commercial ladybugs have behavioral dispersal issues (fly away when released from cold storage) and may be invasive species (Chinese mantis, Harmonia axyridis). Ladybeetle larvae are far more effective aphid predators but difficult to rear commercially. An intercropped carrot border attracted natural ladybug breeding, with larvae migrating to cannabis to control aphids.