Megalocaria dilatata Genome sequencing and assembly

The giant ladybug Megalocaria dilatata (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is a potential biocontrol agent and a valuable model for coccinellid genomics and evolutionary biology. However, the lack of a reference genome for M. dilatata has impeded further explorations into its evolution and constrained its use in pest management. We employed Illumina short reads, PacBio long reads, and Hi-C technology to assemble a high-quality, chromosome-level genome for the giant ladybug.