** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THE INVASIVE SWEDE MIDGE (CONTARINIA NASTURTII) IS A DESTRUCTIVE INSECT PARASITEOF COLE CROPS SUCH AS BROCCOLI, CABBAGE, KALE, BRUSSELS SPROUTS, AND CANOLA. ITATTACKS THE ACTIVELY GROWING PARTS OF PLANTSAND DISTORTS THE TISSUE INTO A TUMOR-LIKE GROWTH CALLED A 'GALL'. FEEDING FROM A SINGLE SWEDE MIDGE LARVA CAN RENDER AN ENTIRE PLANT UNMARKETABLE, RESULTING IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN LOSSES PER ACRE FOR VEGETABLE GROWERS. MANAGEMENT SUCCESS REMAINS ELUSIVE AND HOST PLANT DEFENSES AGAINST THE SWEDE MIDGE ARE POORLY UNDERSTOOD. NOVEL APPROACHES ARE NECESSARY TO CONTROL THIS PEST.I WILL LEVERAGE MY EXPERIENCE IN PLANT-INSECT INTERACTIONS TO ANSWER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ABOUT COLECROPS' DEFENSE AGAINST SWEDE MIDGE. EMPLOYING WHAT I'VE DEVELOPED IN A MODEL GALLING SYSTEM, I PROPOSE TO STUDY THE CHEMISTRY, GENETICS, AND ANATOMY OF COLE CROPS WHEN INFESTED BY SWEDE MIDGE AND ACCOMPLISH THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES: (1) IDENTIFY KEY DIFFERENCES IN TWO BROCCOLI CULTIVARS' DEFENSE AGAINST SWEDE MIDGE; (2) SUBJECT A SUITE OF COLE CROPS AND WILD NON-CROP RELATIVES TO SWEDE MIDGETOSEE HOWTHESE PLANTS' DIVERSE GENETICS CONVEY RESISTANCE OR SUSCEPTIBILITY TO SWEDE MIDGE;AND (3) USE A PROMISING NON-GMOTECHNIQUE TO TRANSIENTLY AUGMENT HOST RESISTANCE AND IDENTIFY HOW THE SWEDE MIDGE DEFEATS HOST DEFENSES ON A MOLECULAR LEVEL.MY FINDINGS IN COLE CROP HOST RESISTANCE WILL LEAD TO PRACTICAL AGRONOMIC OUTCOMES FOR VEGETABLE GROWERS. I WILL TRANSLATE MY RESEARCH INTO ACCESSIBLE BLOG POSTS, INFOGRAPHICS, AND RESEARCH UPDATES THROUGH PENN STATE EXTENSION AND CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GOAL OF AFRI EWD, THIS PROPOSAL WILL SUPPORT MY MENTORSHIP OF UNDERREPRESENTED UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN SCIENCE. THIS RESEARCH PROPOSAL ADDRESSES TWO USDA NIFA FARM BILL PRIORITY AREAS OF PLANT HEALTH AND PRODUCTION AND PLANT PRODUCTS: (C) PESTS AND BENEFICIAL SPECIES IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION SYSTEMS, AND (D) PHYSIOLOGY OF AGRICULTURAL PLANTS.