Geographic genetic divergence and ecological viral communities drive virome diversity in rice pest Chilo suppressalis (microbiomejournal.biomedcentral.com)

• Meta-transcriptomics of 48 C. suppressalis samples from 23 cities identified four geographic populations and 20 RNA viruses (15 novel).
• Core viruses HZSIPbV1 and CSSelV1 present across all climatic zones; region-specific viruses in extreme environments.
• Parasitoid wasp C. chilonis revealed 8 viruses (5 novel) with evidence of host-specific evolution.
• Sympatric species and rice shape virome composition, indicating cross-species transmission.

"This study used meta-transcriptomics to analyze the virome of the striped stem borer, Chilo suppressalis, across China. 48 samples revealed four geographic populations and 20 high-abundance RNA viruses, 15 novel. Core viruses like Hangzhou sesamia inferens peribunyavirus 1 were widespread, while climate-adapted viruses were region-specific. Analysis of the parasitoid wasp Cotesia chilonis indicated host-driven viral adaptation. Sympatric species and rice influenced virome composition, highlighting cross-kingdom transmission. Findings advance understanding of virus-host coevolution in agricultural ecosystems."