Genome-Wide Markers Can Identify the Origin and Demography of Boll Weevil Re-Infestations: A Case Study from Kingsville, TX

A boll weevil re-infestation was recently detected in the Kingsville area of Texas, but the factor(s) contributing to the re-infestation have not been identified.  We used genome-wide SNP markers to determine the most likely geographical origin(s) of the weevils. We also used these markers to estimate the relatedness of the re-infestation population to find if weevils moved to Kingsville via a natural mass dispersal from the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) or if a few weevils were transported and then reproduced locally. Information to support the most likely scenario can be used by eradication programs to justify modifications to regulations in order to reduce anthropogenic movement of weevils.