Chromosome‐level genome assembly of the invasive pest Stictocephala bisonia : insights into genes for environmental stress adaptation

BACKGROUND: Stictocephala bisonia (Hemiptera, Membracidae), a North American invasive pest, has now spread across the northern hemisphere and was first reported in China in 2017. As a polyphagous invasive pest, its continued spread and related damage have become a growing concern in several countries in the northern hemisphere RESULTS: To investigate how it adapts to new invasion areas, we assembled a high-quality, chromosome-level genome of Sti. bisonia. The genome is ~1.8 Gb in size and comprises 11 chromosomes, among which chromosome 9 is identified as the sex chromosome. BUSCO analysis indicated that the genome has a high quality with a completeness of 96.8%. The genome contains 60.5% repetitive sequences, has a GC content of 33.99%, and contains 24 372 predicted protein-coding genes. Comparative genomic analysis revealed significant gene family expansions in Sti. bisonia genome, including the detoxification-related P450 and ABC gene families, the chemosensory-related CSP gene family, and the immune-related PGRP gene family. Among positively selected and rapidly evolving genes, several candidates associated with adaptation were identified. Such as the Creb gene (related to detoxification); Pnlip, Y-box, and Hs3st genes (related to cold resistance); and Relish and MKK genes (related to immunity). Notably, Creb, Pnlip, and Hs3st genes are all positively selected and rapidly evolving genes, indicating their potentially important roles in the Sti. bisonia genome. CONCLUSION: The study has revealed molecular evidence associated with detoxification metabolism and cold resistance from the Sti. bisonia genome. These findings lay a foundation for understanding the adaptive evolutionary patterns of Sti. bisonia and provide a theoretical basis for pest management. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.