The giant ladybugMegalocaria dilatata(Fabricius) is a potential biocontrol agent and a valuable model for coccinellid genomics and evolutionary biology. However, the lack of a reference genome forM. dilatatahas impeded further explorations into its evolution and constrained its use in pest management. Here, we assembled and annotated a high-quality, chromosome-level genome ofM. dilatata. The resulting assembly spans 772.3 Mb, with a scaffold N50 of 72.48 Mb and a GC content of 34.23%. The Hi-C data aided in anchoring the assembly onto 10 chromosomes ranging from 43.35 to 108.16 Mb. We identified 493.33 Mb of repeat sequences, accounting for 63.88% of the assembled genome. Our gene prediction identified 25,346 genes, with 81.89% annotated in public protein databases. The genome data will provide a valuable resource for studying the biology and evolution of Coccinellidae, aiding in pest control strategies and advancing research in the field.

The tea lace bug, Stephanitis chinensis Drake, 1948, a notorious pest, inflicts significant damage on commercial tea cultivation and ornamental gardens across China. In this study, we investigated the genetic diversity, population structure, and demographic history of S. chinensis based on the genetic and phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (cox1) sequences. The dataset exhibited 453 polymorphic sites, 315 parsimony informative sites, and 138 singleton variable sites, attesting to the species’ genetic complexity. Haplotype diversity varied across populations, with the highest in Ziyang County of Shaanxi Province (SXZY) and lowest in Yongchuan District of Chongqing City (CQYC). Genetic differentiation was primarily within populations, while some pairs showed significant divergence, indicative of geographic barriers and local adaptation. Inconsistent signals from neutrality tests and mismatch distribution analysis suggested historical stability interspersed with growth or bottleneck events. Phylogenetic analysis depicted distinct haplotype clusters, with Mabian County of Sichuan province (SCMB) forming a unique clade. The haplotype network emphasized geographic uniqueness while highlighting shared ancestry between Yongchuan District of Chongqing City (CQYC) and Guwen County of Hunan Province (HNGW). These findings illuminate S. chinensis’ ecological adaptability, historical dynamics, and potential for adaptive responses to agricultural practices. In addition, the results indicated important implications for pest management, genetic conservation, and the broader understanding of the species’ evolutionary trajectory.

Spodoptera frugiperda poses a severe threat to crops, causing substantial economic losses. The increased use of chemical pesticides has led to resistance in S. frugiperda populations. Micro ribonucleic acids (MicroRNAs or miRNAs) are pivotal in insect growth and development. This study aims to identify miRNAs across different developmental stages of S. frugiperda to explore differential expression and predict target gene functions. High-throughput sequencing of miRNAs was conducted on eggs, 3rd instar larvae, pupae, and adults. Bioinformatics analyses identified differentially expressed miRNAs specifically in larvae, with candidate miRNAs screened to predict target genes, particularly those involved in detoxification pathways. A total of 184 known miRNAs and 209 novel miRNAs were identified across stages. Comparative analysis revealed 54, 15, and 18 miRNAs differentially expressed in larvae, compared to egg, pupa, and adult stages, respectively. Eight miRNAs showed significant differential expression across stages, validated by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses predicted target genes’ functions, identifying eight differentially expressed miRNAs targeting 10 gene families associated with detoxification metabolism, including P450s, glutathione S-transferase (GSTs), ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, and sodium channels. These findings elucidate the species-specific miRNA profiles and regulatory mechanisms of detoxification-related genes in S. frugiperda larvae, offering insights and strategies for effectively managing this pest.

The Adonis ladybird (Hippodamia variegata), an important predator in agricultural ecosystems, plays a crucial role in biological control and is a significant model for evolutionary and genomic studies within Coccinellidae. Despite its ecological importance, the lack of a reference genome for H. variegata has limited in-depth investigations into its biology and potential as a biocontrol agent. Here, we present a high-quality, chromosome-level genome assembly of H. variegata. The final assembly spans 493.01 Mb, with a scaffold N50 of 28.19 Mb and a GC content of 36.41%. Hi-C sequencing data enabled the anchoring of 343.20 Mb to 10 chromosomes. Repetitive elements accounted for 258.56 Mb (52.44%) of the genome, with long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs) being the most prevalent. We identified 37,348 protein-coding genes, of which 78.55% were functionally annotated in public protein databases. This high-quality genome assembly will serve as a valuable resource for furthering our understanding of Adonis ladybird's evolutionary biology, enhancing its utility in pest management, and supporting future research on ladybird genomics.

Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (1908), the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), is a major pest of citrus crops, responsible for transmitting the bacterium that causes Huanglongbing (HLB), a disease devastating to citrus industries worldwide. Despite extensive research on its population genetics in other regions, the genetic structure of D. citri in Sichuan Province, China, remains poorly understood, complicating the development of effective pest management strategies. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating the genetic diversity and population structure of D. citri using genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Three natural populations of D. citri from southeastern Sichuan were sequenced, revealing a total of 7,010,305 SNPs and relatively low genetic differentiation among populations. Phylogenetic analysis identified two primary genetic groups with limited gene flow, supported by principal component analysis (PCA) and Admixture analysis. The populations exhibited high genetic diversity, with notable variations in nucleotide diversity and inbreeding coefficients. Functional enrichment analysis highlighted genes involved in cellular processes and stress response, which may contribute to local adaptation. These findings provide valuable insights into the evolutionary dynamics of D. citri and suggest that genetic diversity and selective pressures play a key role in its adaptability. The results underscore the importance of considering genetic variation in the development of targeted and sustainable pest management strategies in southeastern China.

The transverse lady beetle Coccinella transversoguttata Faldermann, 1835 is an ecologically important aphid predator and a declining native biocontrol agent in parts of its range. To provide a genomic resource for evolutionary, ecological, and applied research, we generated a chromosome-level genome assembly using PacBio HiFi long reads, Illumina whole-genome short reads, Hi-C chromatin conformation capture, and full-length transcriptome sequencing. The final assembly spans 376.3 Mb and comprises 58 scaffolds ≥1 kb, of which 363.4 Mb (96.6%) was anchored onto 10 chromosome-scale pseudomolecules. Assembly contiguity was high (contig N50 = 41.6 Mb; scaffold N50 = 41.6 Mb), and completeness was supported by 98.4% complete arthropod BUSCOs. Repetitive sequences constituted 58.2% of the genome, and 13,808 protein-coding genes were annotated with strong transcriptomic and homology-based support. Comparative analysis with a recently published conspecific genome revealed strong chromosome-scale collinearity but notable differences in total assembly size, repeat content, and local structural variation, suggesting either population-level genomic divergence or methodological differences in repeat resolution. Cross-species synteny with Coccinella septempunctata Linnaeus, 1758 further demonstrated substantial conservation of chromosome architecture across the genus. This resource provides a high-quality reference genome with broad utility for comparative genomics, predator ecology, biological control, and genome evolution studies in Coccinellidae.