AUTHOR=Xiong Xiao , Kelkar Yogeshwar D , Geden Chris J , Zhang Chao , Wang Yidong , Jongepier Evelien , Martinson Ellen O. , Verhulst Eveline C , Gadau Jürgen , Werren John H , Wang Xu 

TITLE=Long-Read Assembly and Annotation of the Parasitoid Wasp Muscidifurax raptorellus, a Biological Control Agent for Filth Flies

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Genetics

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/genetics/articles/10.3389/fgene.2021.748135

DOI=10.3389/fgene.2021.748135

ISSN=1664-8021

ABSTRACT=<p>The parasitoid wasp <italic>Muscidifurax raptorellus</italic> (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) is a gregarious species that has received extensive attention for its potential in biological pest control against house fly, stable fly, and other filth flies. It has a high reproductive capacity and can be reared easily. However, genome assembly is not available for <italic>M. raptorellus</italic> or any other species in this genus. Previously, we assembled a complete circular mitochondrial genome with a length of 24,717 bp. Here, we assembled and annotated a high-quality nuclear genome of <italic>M. raptorellus</italic>, using a combination of long-read (104× genome coverage) and short-read (326× genome coverage) sequencing technologies. The assembled genome size is 314 Mbp in 226 contigs, with a 97.9% BUSCO completeness score and a contig N50 of 4.67 Mb, suggesting excellent continuity of this assembly. Our assembly builds the foundation for comparative and evolutionary genomic analysis in the genus of <italic>Muscidifurax</italic> and possible future biocontrol applications.</p>