** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** LIKE 90% OF ALL ANIMAL SPECIES, INSECTS LAY EGGS. THE OVIPOSITOR IS A SPECIALIZED BODY PART THAT FEMALE INSECTS USE TO LAY EGGS. THE SIZE AND SHAPE OF THE OVIPOSITOR CAN HAVE A HUGE EFFECT ON A FEMALE'S REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS. FOR PEST INSECTS, THE OVIPOSITOR CAN INFLUENCE THE ABILITY TO ATTACK CROPS OR SPREAD DISEASE. DESPITE THE CLEAR ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF INSECT OVIPOSITORS, WE KNOW SURPRISINGLY LITTLE ABOUT HOW OVIPOSITORS FORM AS IMMATURE INSECTS BECOME REPRODUCTIVE ADULTS. WE ALSO KNOW VERY LITTLE ABOUT THE TYPES OF GENETIC CHANGES THAT HAPPEN AS INSECT OVIPOSITORS BECOME BETTER ADAPTED TO ATTACK A NEW ANIMAL OR PLANT HOST. THESE KNOWLEDGE GAPS LIMIT OUR ARSENAL OF WEAPONS FOR COMBATTING INSECT PESTS. THE GOAL OF THIS RESEARCH IS TO IDENTIFY GENES THAT ARE IMPORTANT FOR OVIPOSITOR STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION. TO DO SO, THE PROJECT TAKES ADVANTAGE OF TWO PINE-FEEDING PESTS THAT USE DIFFERENT PINES AND DIFFER IN OVIPOSITOR SIZE AND SHAPE. BY MAKING GENETIC CROSSES BETWEEN THESE SPECIES AND DETERMINING WHICH GENES ARE TURNED ON AND OFF AS OVIPOSITORS ARE FORMED, THE PROJECT WILL IDENTIFY GENES THAT ARE ESSENTIAL FOR MAKING AND FINE-TUNING OVIPOSITORS. SUCH INFORMATION WOULD OPEN UP NEW AVENUES FOR INSECT CONTROL MEASURES THAT FOCUS ON DISRUPTING OVIPOSITOR FORMATION.