Identification and full-genome assembly of novel Colorado potato beetle iflavirus and solinvi-like virus with SISPA Sequencing

Abstract

The Colorado potato beetle is one of the most devastating potato pests widespread in the world. However, its viral pathogens remain highly unexplored. Here using SISPA high-throughput sequencing of Colorado potato beetle (CPB) samples derived from prepupal larvae that died from an unknown infection, we have identified two previously unknown viruses and assembled their full-length genomic sequences. The subsequent genetic and phylogenetic analysis of the obtained sequences demonstrated that the isolated viruses, named Leptinotarsa iflavirus 1 and Leptinotarsa solinvi-like virus 1, are the novel representatives of Iflaviridae and Solinviviridae viral families, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, these are the first sequencing-confirmed insect viruses derived directly from CPB samples. And we also propose that Leptinotarsa iflavirus 1 may be associated with lethal disease in CPB.