The Complete Mitochondrial Genome of the Pest Beetle <i>Latheticus oryzae</i> : Assembly, Annotation, and Phylogenetic Analysis

<i>Latheticus oryzae</i> (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is a significant pest of stored grains, yet its phylogenetic position and mitogenome characteristics have remained poorly explored. Here, we present the first complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of <i>L. oryzae</i> (GenBank accession No. PX331584.1). The complete mitogenome is a circular molecule of 15,798 bp encoding 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNAs, 2 rRNAs, and a control region, with a high A + T content of 71.08%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 13 PCGs robustly resolved the evolutionary position of <i>L. oryzae</i>, placing it as a sister group to <i>Tribolium</i> species within the tribe Tenebrionini. This clarifies its phylogenetic affinities and suggests a close evolutionary relationship and possibly shared adaptive strategies with the model pest genus <i>Tribolium</i>. Expression profiling revealed significant developmental and tissue-specific differences in PCG transcription, with heightened energy metabolism gene expression in larval stages and fat body, potentially reflecting genetic adaptations for growth and survival in nutrient-rich environments. These findings provide foundational insights into the molecular evolution and ecological adaptation of <i>L. oryzae</i>, facilitating future studies on pest evolution and mitogenome-driven management strategies.