Non-technical summarythe european corn borer (ECB) is a major insect pest of corn that previously caused U.S. Growers >US$1 billion annually in yield losses and control expenditures

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded the University of Tennessee $749,526 on February 1, 2026, under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI, CFDA 10.310) to identify genetic mechanisms of European corn borer (ECB) resistance to Cry pesticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis, develop a rapid DNA-based monitoring tool to detect resistance genes in ECB populations across the United States, and test new technologies including peptide synergists and protein formulations designed to improve or restore the effectiveness of Cry proteins against susceptible and resistant ECB populations. The project runs through January 31, 2029, with place of performance in Knoxville, Tennessee.

ECB previously caused U.S. growers over $1 billion annually in yield losses and control expenditures before adoption of transgenic Bt corn; however, ECB populations have begun developing resistance to Cry proteins, threatening the long-term effectiveness of Bt corn and benefits to U.S. agriculture. The project will identify genetic changes allowing ECB to survive exposure to multiple Cry proteins, develop a high-throughput monitoring tool to detect resistance genes from different U.S. locations, and test new technologies to overcome resistance in susceptible and resistant populations. The project will support improved resistance management strategies and train undergraduate and graduate students in modern agricultural and molecular science techniques.

The University of Guelph (sub-award, April 12, 2026) maintains ECB strains for binding assays, sequencing, and mapping; conducts bioassays of peptides using susceptible and resistant ECB strains; and participates in data analysis and manuscript preparation. The University of Minnesota (sub-award, March 3, 2026) collects adult and larval ECB from U.S. fields and conducts F2 screening to estimate resistance allele frequency against Cry proteins in ECB field populations.

Adoption of transgenic corn producing CRY pesticidal proteins from the bacterium bacillus thuringiensis (BT corn) has provided ECB population suppression and multiple benefits to U.S. Agriculture, even to non-BT corn growers. However, populations of ECB have begun to develop resistance to some of these proteins, threatening the long-term effectiveness of BT corn and the benefits IT provides to U.S. Agriculture. The goal of this project is to understand how the ECB becomes resistant to CRY proteins and to develop new tools and technologies for detecting and managing this resistance. First, the project will identify the genetic changes in ECB populations that allow them to survive exposure to multiple CRY proteins. Understanding these resistance mechanisms will help explain how resistance develops and spreads in the field. Second, the project will develop a rapid, DNA-based monitoring tool that can detect resistance genes in ECB populations from different locations in the united states. This tool will allow resistance to be detected earlier and more efficiently than current methods. Third, the project will test new technologies, including peptide synergists and protein formulations, designed to improve or restore the effectiveness of CRY proteins against susceptible and resistant ECB populations. These efforts will support improved resistance management strategies that help maintain the effectiveness of BT corn for ECB control, reduce the risk of widespread resistance, and promote sustainable pest control practices. The project will also train undergraduate and graduate students in modern agricultural and molecular science techniques, contributing to the development of a skilled agricultural workforce.