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Oral Presentation
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Student Poster Display Competition

Plant-Insect Ecosystems

Student Competition

Student

Grad Poster Competition: P-IE, Genetics

Improving surveillance of resistance in grain: ARMS-qPCR for detection of phosphine resistance in the red flour beetle

Monday, November 10, 2025
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Pacific
Location: Exhibit Hall A-A1, OCC
Poster Display Student Competition
Phosphine is one of the most widely used fumigants for the remedial control of stored-product insects, including the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. However, the emergence of phosphine resistance in field populations poses a significant threat, undermining its long-term efficacy. Therefore, the establishment of rapid and reliable methods for the detection of resistance alleles is essential to promote timely and effective management strategies. In the present study, we adapted and optimized an amplification refractory mutation system quantitative PCR (ARMS-qPCR) assay to detect single nucleotide mutations closely associated with phosphine resistance in T. castaneum. Allele-specific primers were designed to distinguish between resistant and susceptible populations at target sites previously known to be linked to high levels of resistance in T. castaneum. The ARMS-qPCR assay demonstrated high specificity and sensitivity in detecting both homozygous and heterozygous resistant individuals. This method enables high-throughput screening of individual insects, offering an affordable and time-efficient approach for phosphine resistance diagnostics in stored grain ecosystems. The implementation of this molecular diagnostic tool has the potential to strengthen resistance management strategies and support integrated pest management (IPM) programs, thereby contributing to the sustainable use of phosphine.