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Oral Presentation

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Student Competition

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Student Poster Display Competition

Plant-Insect Ecosystems

Student Competition

Student

Grad Poster Competition: P-IE, Genetics

D3076: Laboratory selection of Bt-resistant fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda): Investigating epigenetic mechanisms and their role in resistance development and management

Monday, November 10, 2025

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Pacific

Location: Exhibit Hall A-A1, OCC

Presenting Author(s)

Tiago Silva

PhD student
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Co-Author(s)

Shucong Lin

Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
BP

Bhavana Patla

Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
HF

Honglin Feng

Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Graham Head

Resistance Management Lead
Bayer Crop Science
Chesterfield, Missouri
FH

Fangneng Huang

Professor
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a well-known polyphagous pest, widely targeted by transgenic Bt crops. Although Bt resistance development in insect pests has been extensively studied, the biological mechanisms enabling the resistance evolution to have been focused only on the associated classical gene mutations. In this study, we established five homogeneous susceptible inbreds of S. frugiperda using single-pair mating from a known laboratory Bt susceptible strain for two generations. Resistance selection was initiated through continuous exposure to the five susceptible inbreds to low doses of Cry1A.105 Bt protein with increasing selection concentrations over time. Standardized bioassays are being conducted across generations to monitor changes in the Bt susceptibility of the five inbreds. Our hypothesis is that resistance may also arise from epigenetic regulation—allowing individuals without classical mutations in resistance alleles to survive through reversible or heritable changes in gene expressions. By exploring non-genetic contributions to resistance evolution, this research aims to broaden our understanding of adaptation in pest populations to control measures. Insights gained may enhance resistance monitoring programs and support integrated insecticide resistance management (IRM) strategies that address both genetic and epigenetic factors, ultimately helping to preserve the efficacy of Bt crop technology for pest management.