De novo genome assembly of four Andean potato weevil species (Premnotrypes,Rhigopsidius), the primary agricultural pest of the potato in South America

The Andean potato weevil complex are the most widespread and serious insect pests to potato crops in the Andes. More broadly, genomic assemblies of insect pests are currently lacking in agricultural research, especially those from the order Coleoptera. These genome data are essential for identifying potential underlying mechanisms important to biological control strategies and food security in the highlands. Here, we present the de novo genome assemblies for four species of the Andean potato weevil complex: Premnotrypes vorax, P. suturicallus, P. latithorax, and Rhigopsidius piercei. Genome assemblies exceeded the average size of those from the order Coleoptera and were highly repetitive: for P. vorax (1.33 Gb, 71.51% repetitive), P. latithorax (623 Mb, 59.03% repetitive), P. suturicallus (1.23 Gb, 70.19% repetitive), and R. piercei (1.55 Gb, 71.91% repetitive). We examined genomic regions related to metabolic potato plant detoxification and insecticide resistance using the available Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) genome annotations as a guide. Our analysis of these weevil genomes identified chemosensory receptors and odorant binding proteins that could be related to detecting their hosts, the potato plant (Solanum tuberosum), as well as many genomic regions involved in subverting pesticide resistance. We have generated the first whole-genome assemblies of the Andean potato weevil complex that will be foundational for future agricultural pest management and entomological research in South America. Author SummaryWithin the South American Andean mountains the Andean potato weevil insects are the most widespread and serious pests to potatoes, destroying around 89% of potato harvests a year when insecticides are not used. Here, we collected and performed whole-genome sequencing for the first time for four Andean potato weevil species: Premnotrypes vorax, P. suturicallus, P. latithorax, and Rhigopsidius piercei. After analysis of these genome assemblies, we found that they were large and highly repetitive compared to other published beetle genome data in the order Coleoptera. After further examination of these genome assemblies, we found regions related to metabolic potato plant detoxification, insecticide resistance, and chemosensory and odorant binding protein receptors that could be related to detecting potato plants. These genomic identifications provide novel molecular insight into regions associated with insecticide resistance, metabolic abilities, and environmental receptors, and can serve as a future valuable resource in classifying phylogenetic relationships as well as identifying regions of interest for improved pest management for potato farmers.