Eumorphobotys obscuralis isolate:Huzhou_Anji Genome sequencing

The leaf roller, Eumorphobotys obscuralis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), first described by Aristide Caradja in 1925, belongs to the family Crambidae and is a species native to China. It poses a significant threat to bamboo, as its larvae feed on leaves of the plant, particularly the young bamboo. The outbreaks of E. obscuralis are often reported in China, India, Japan and Korea causing serious defoliation that results in reduced vigor and even the death of culms. Bamboo plays a crucial role in the daily lives of millions of people in tropical countries, providing significant environmental, social, and economic benefits. However, the devastation caused by E. obscuralis has become one of the primary threats to bamboo production. Once an outbreak occurs, the larvae of E. obscuralis consume bamboo leaves, which can lead to the death of entire bamboo forests and a 35-50% reduction in the weight of the affected bamboo. This not only severely impacts the growth of bamboo shoots and whips in the following year but also continues to affect growth for several subsequent years. Unfortunately, there are currently no effective prevention and control measures available, as a result, damage caused by E. obscuralis worsens year after year. The lack of a high-quality genome assembly for E. obscuralis has impeded a comprehensive understanding of this destructive pest. To address this gap, we employed Illumina short reads, PacBio HiFi reads, and PacBio high-fidelity reads in conjunction with High-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) data. This well-established genomic resource is expected to significantly advance research on E. obscuralis, not only by deepening our understanding of the genetic foundations of this species, but also by providing a valuable reference for developing targeted control strategies. With this genomic assembly, researchers can now explore previously inaccessible areas of study, laying the groundwork for novel applications and discoveries.