Chromosome-level genome assembly of hawthorn spider mite, Amphitetranychus viennensis (Acari: Tetranychidae)

The hawthorn spider mite, Amphitetranychus viennensis (Acari, Tetranychidae), is one of the most destructive arthropod pests in orchards and ornamental plants, distributing mainly in Europe and Asia. Characterized by short developmental cycle, high fecundity, and largely overlapping generations, A. viennensis exhibits a remarkable capability to quickly expand its populations and devastates entire plants within a short time. Traditionally, control of this pest has been heavily relied on the application of synthetic acaricides. However, in recent years, the rapid development of resistance to chemical acaricides has significantly diminished the effectiveness of chemical control strategies. Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop environmentally friendly and sustainable alternatives for A. viennensis management.