Nearly complete genome sequences of the first two identified Colorado potato beetle viruses

Abstract

The Colorado potato beetle is one of the most devastating potato pests in the world. However, its viral pathogens, which might have potential in pest control, have remained unexplored. With high-throughput sequencing of Colorado potato beetle samples derived from prepupal larvae which died from an unknown infection, we have identified two previously unknown RNA viruses and assembled their nearly complete genome sequences. The subsequent genetic and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the viruses, tentatively named Leptinotarsa iflavirus 1 and Leptinotarsa solinvi-like virus 1, are the novel representatives of the Iflaviridae and Solinviviridae families, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, these are the first sequencing-confirmed insect viruses derived from Colorado potato beetle samples. We propose that Leptinotarsa iflavirus 1 may be associated with a lethal disease in the Colorado potato beetle.