Choristoneura fumiferana Genome sequencing and assembly

The spruce budworm undergoes massive outbreaks every 30-40 years, causing substantial defoliation that results in growth losses and mortality in spruce and balsam fir stands. Historically, its impact has been most severe in eastern Canada. This insect, which overwinters as a tiny caterpillar, shows high tolerance to the extremely cold temperatures to which it is exposed in various parts of its range. A high-quality assembly of its genome is expected to provide insight into its cold resilience and lead to the identification of key processes that could be targeted for the development of novel pest control products.