Comparative genomics of two aphid parasitoids with different reproductive modes and extreme codon bias

Parasitoid wasps that infect aphids must cope with both aphid defenses and their hosts' symbionts. These interactions have the potential to drive diversification and genome evolution. All hymenopteran parasitoid wasps are haplo-diploid (males are derived from unfertilized eggs) and some species can also produce females asexually (thelytoky). We report here the de novo genome assemblies and annotations of two phylogenetically closely related parasitoid wasps (Aphidiidae) that target pest aphids and provide biocontrol services: Aphidius ervi and Lysiphlebus fabarum. The two genomes are small (139 and 141 Mb), highly syntenic, and have the most AT-rich genomes reported thus far for any arthropod (GC content: 25.8 and 23.8%).