Chromosome-level genome assembly of the forest pest Achelura yunnanensis (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae)

Abstract

Abstract Achelura yunnanensis is a destructive pest of forests, causing substantial damage on tree growth and severe economic losses. Additionally, as a daytime-active moth, this species also holds important scientific value for investigating the genetic mechanisms governing day-night activity patterns of Lepidoptera. To facilitate effective pest control and deepen our understanding of the diurnal behavior’s genetic basis of moths, genomic data for this species are crucial. In this study, we present a chromosome-level reference genome of A. yunnanensis (368.15 Mb in 32 chromosomes; scaffold N50 = 12.61 Mb; BUSCO completeness = 98.0%). Genome annotation shows that the new assembly comprises 37.10% (136.55 Mb) repetitive elements, 1,828 non-coding RNAs, and 15,523 protein-coding genes. Genes involved in lipid metabolism and xenobiotics biodegradation and metabolism, such as cytochrome P450 families, experienced significant expansion in the A. yunnanensis genome. The chromosome-level genome of A. yunnanensis provides a valuable genomic resource for devising novel pest control strategies, and will also help to study the genetic mechanism of the shift of diurnal behavior in Lepidoptera.