---
title: A Kernel of Hope in Stopping Pesticide Resistance on Farms
date: 2024-10-14T05:30:00-04:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/researchers-work-to-get-the-jump-on-pest-mutations-that-threaten-crops"
section: Articles
---
# A Kernel of Hope in Stopping Pesticide Resistance on Farms

*October 14, 2024* — by [Kathryn Klett M.P.P. ’25](/author/kathryn-klett-m-p-p-25)


> USDA Grant Supports Study of Mutations in Crop-Damaging Corn Earworm

*Adobe Stock 216594209 1920x1080 — Funded by a USDA grant, UMD researchers are working to understand how corn earworms (below) develop resistance to pesticides, and develop strategies to monitor for resistance and respond to it in order to keep pesticides from losing effectiveness.*

Environmentally friendly, sustainable pesticides are popular with consumers, who are more likely to purchase sweet corn from their local market that hasn’t been sprayed with potentially harmful chemicals.

Now, supported by a $650,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), two University of Maryland researchers have teamed up to help ensure these pest-fighting methods remain on the table, in part by understanding why a common pest known as the corn earworm, or *H. zea,* has developed resistance to pesticides widely used in farming.


*worm on ear of corn — Photo via Wikimedia Commons*




**Topics:** [Research](https://today.umd.edu/tags/research)


**Tags:** [Computer Science](https://today.umd.edu/topic/computer-science), [Entomology](https://today.umd.edu/topic/entomology), [Research](https://today.umd.edu/topic/research)


**Units:** [College of Agriculture and Natural Resources](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-agriculture-and-natural-resources), [College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-computer-mathematical-and-natural-sciences), [University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies](https://today.umd.edu/topic/university-of-maryland-institute-for-advanced-computer-studies)