Sexual conflict and evolutionary dynamics of insecticide resistance genes

本项目旨在利用性选择理论预测果蝇对杀虫剂的抗性进化，为缓解抗性进化提供新的途径。当前农业管理策略的一个关键假设是，抗性会带来繁殖力或生存成本，但这一点很少得到证明，特别是在自然界中。并不是所有的抗性突变都是新的；许多代表了通过平衡选择（即男性和女性的相反影响）或环境波动维持的预先存在的变体。这项研究将为了解抗性如何在自然种群中演变和保持提供新的见解，并可能导致潜在的农药使用减少，并带来相关的经济和生物多样性效益。

This project aims to develop new approaches to mitigate resistance evolution by applying sexual selection theory to predict evolution of insecticide resistance in flies. A key assumption of current agriculture management strategies is that resistance carries fecundity or survival costs, but this is rarely demonstrated, especially in nature. Not all resistance mutations are novel; many represent pre-existing variants maintained by balancing selection i.e. opposing effects in males and females, or by environmental fluctuations. This research will provide new insight into how resistance evolves and is maintained in natural populations and may result in potential reduction in pesticide use with associated economic and biodiversity benefits.