Location: Insect Control and Cotton Disease Research
Project Number: 3091-22000-038-072-T
Project Type: Trust Fund Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Aug 15, 2025
End Date: Aug 14, 2028
Objective:
1) Obtain and sequence pecan weevils from Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia, New Mexico, and other pecan producing states
2) Identify SNPs that may be used to distinguish pecan weevils from different geographical areas
3) Create a pipeline to determine weevil geographical origin
Approach:
Pecan weevils will initially be collected from Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia, and New Mexico. We will start by collecting weevils from at least three locations or orchards per state using Circle traps. At least ten weevils from each location will be sequenced using Illumina NovaSeqX technology and more will be sequenced as they become available to create a robust genetic library. We anticipate adding additional samples and collection sites as we move toward a comprehensive library from all pecan growing areas. We will use population genetic analyses and AI learning models to identify SNPs that may be used to distinguish pecan weevils from different geographical areas.