The Effect of Fungicide Exposure on Histone Modifications in the Colorado Potato Beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata
Bjorklun, Sam
Bjorklun, Sam
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Abstract
Insect pests may develop heightened adaptive abilities through indirect exposure to various pesticides. Focusing on the Colorado potato beetle (CPB), notorious for rapidly evolving insecticide resistance, we investigate the impact of sublethal exposure to the fungicide chlorothalonil. We hypothesize that sublethal exposure will significantly affect CPB performance. Moreover, we propose that fungicide exposure may induce epigenetic changes through histone modifications. Our study evaluates the impact of varying fungicide doses on CPB herbivory, mortality, and histone modifications. Understanding fungicide effects on CPB aids sustainable pest management by optimizing fungicide use against fungal diseases while reducing unintended benefits to pest populations.
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Undergraduate
Date
2024-01-01