Chromosome-level genome assembly of hawthorn spider mite, Amphitetranychus viennensis (Acari: Tetranychidae).
The hawthorn spider mite, Amphitetranychus viennensis, is a major pest of orchards and ornamentals in the Palaearctic region, with adaptability and acaricide resistance. The lack of high-quality genomic resources limits understanding of its detoxification mechanisms and the development of RNAi-based pest control strategies. In this study, we utilized Illumina, Pacific Biosciences (PacBio), and Hi-C sequencing technologies to assemble a chromosome-level reference genome of A. viennensis. The assembled genome spans 141.96 Mb, with a contig N50 of 1.35 Mb. BUSCO analysis confirmed a high level of completeness, covering 91.6% of annotated genes. The assembly includes 50.97 Mb of repetitive sequences, representing 35.93% of the genome, and annotates 13,968 protein-coding genes. Using Hi-C sequencing, we anchored 47 contigs to three chromosomes, accounting for 97.27% of the estimated nuclear genome and achieving a contig N50 of 45.83 Mb. This high-quality genome assembly provides a valuable foundation for evolutionary and genomic research on spider mites, while also serving as a genetic resource to inform molecular control strategies and support sustainable pest management.