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Systematics, Evolution, and Biodiversity

Member Symposium

Coverage of the Good and the Bad: The Genomes and Genomics of Pollinators and Pests

Unraveling fall armyworm genetic structure in North America using a whole genome sequencing approach

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

9:20 AM – 9:40 AM PT

Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Meeting Room 119/120

Presenting Author(s)

Ashley Tessnow

Postdoctoral Research Associate
Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas

Co-author(s)

RN

Rodney Nagoshi

USDA-ARS
Gainesville, Florida

Co-Author(s)

Robert L. Meagher, Jr. (he/him/his)

Research Entomologist
USDA-ARS
Gainesville, Florida

Co-author(s)

Todd M. Gilligan

Biological Scientist
USDA-APHIS
Fort Collins, Colorado
BS

Benjamin Sadd

Illinois State University
Normal, Illinois
GS

Gregory Sword

Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, is a highly polyphagous agricultural pest endemic to the Western Hemisphere. In recent years, several studies have attempted to characterize the population genetic structure of this species to enhance management strategies. However, recent studies using widespread genomic markers have come to mixed conclusions about the structure of fall armyworms in their native range. Here, we use a whole genome sequencing approach to address two primary questions about fall armyworm population genetics: (1) To what extent are fall armyworm strains genetically isolated? and (2) Is there evidence of geographic structuring between fall armyworms in the eastern, central, or western US? We then compare our findings to recent studies and discuss the causes of possible inconsistencies in the literature. Our goal is to apply our knowledge of fall armyworm population structure to develop improved migratory models and more targeted pest management strategies for this pest species in its native range