Melanaphis sacchari strain:LSU and endosymbiont Genome sequencing and assembly

The sugarcane aphid (Melanaphis sacchari) is an emerging pest of sorghum in the southern United States. Infestation is associated with stunted growth, yellowing/chlorosis, reductions in photosynthetic capacity, and loss of minerals and nutrients, all of which lead to significantly reduced yields. It also vectors at least three viruses, which can lead to additional losses of plant vigor. This genome will ultimately be used a tool to understand the molecular basis of aphid-sorghum interactions and identify factors linked to virulence.