Acyrthosiphon pisum

International audienceAphids are sap-sucking insects that comprise about 5500 species colonizing a wide variety of host plants. They are the dominant group (26%) among insect pests of the six main crops grown for human consumption, with the potential to cause a worldwide economic impact. Aphids inflict damage directly by feeding and indirectly by phytovirus transmission. Since the initial sequencing of the genome of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum and its symbiont Buchnera aphidicola, a further 12 aphid genome sequences have become available. Most of these genomes are accessible at the dedicated AphidBasei. Fourteen Buchnera genomes have also been sequenced. This provides a unique opportunity to study selection, adaptation, and evolution using aphids as a model family of species with broad distribution and adaptation to different environments and food sources. In addition, the availability of the genomes will facilitate future comparative studies focusing on the development, physiology, and metabolism of aphids to identify novel pest control strategies