Genome assembly of the Tetranychus urticae inbred strain ROS-ITi

We sequenced the genome of the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) inbred strain ROS-ITi that is resistant to several acaricides but is susceptible to others (acaricides are pesticides effective against members of the Acari within Arthropoda subphylum Chelicerata, to which this species belongs). T. urticae is a mite herbivore, and it is exceptional in its broad host plant range, having been found on more than 1100 plant species, including many crop plants. Further, the species is known for its extremely rapid evolution of resistance to acaricides, which poses challenges for the chemical control of this pest in agriculture. The genome of ROS-ITi provides a resource to understand how genes in detoxification (and other) gene families, and the expression of these genes, impact resistance to xenobiotics including acaricides as well as plant-produced specialized compounds that deter herbivores.