Characterisation of the viral community associated with the alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica)

The alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica) is a widely distributed insect pest that can severely affect the yields and the quality of alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Alfalfa is a major legume used to feed cattles and chemical insecticides have been the common answer to control the proliferation of pests, with their array of detrimental consequences on pest resistance selection and on global health, which encourage the development of alternative solutions. Entomopathogenic viruses represent a largely unexplored resource that has proven successful to control major insect pests worldwide. To search for potential virus candidates for biocontrol in alfalfa weevils, we developed a viral metagenomics approach coupled to high throughput sequencing. We set up virus field screening at the scale of a simple agrosystem composed by natural populations of alfalfa weevil and its host plant alfalfa. We characterised the viral communities of this insect pest and of its host plant.