Draft genome assembly version 1 of the meadow spittlebug Philaenus spumarius (Linnaeus, 1758) (Hemiptera, Aphrophoridae)

The meadow spittlebug, Philaenus spumarius (Linnaeus, 1758), has never been considered a major threat to agricultural in Europe before the introduction of Xylella fastidiosa, one of the most harmful bacterial plant diseases in the world. Currently we know that P. spumarius played a major role in the spread of X. fastidiosa in the first European outbreak of the bacterium in the Apulia region (Southern Italy), and possibly in other European countries. The insect is native to the Palearctic regions, and recently has spread to USA and New Zealand suggesting it quickly adapts to new environments, and hence may be considered invasive. Overall these observations drastically changed the status of P. spumarius in Europe and in the rest of the world where it is currently regarded as a very serious pest and a potentially invasive species requiring the urgent implementation of effective control measures. Therefore, improving our knowledge on the evolution and genomics of this species has become of critical importance. Here, we present the first draft genome assembly of P. spumarius. The sequenced draft genome of this pest/invasive species will be a fundamental resource for future research spanning from evolutionary to ecological aspects.