Targeting vacuolar ATPase in tobacco whitefly, <i>Bemisia tabaci</i> (Gennadius): Insights and implications for integrated whitefly management strategies.

<i>Bemisia tabaci</i> (Gennadius), one of the most destructive insect pests worldwide, damages plants and transmits numerous harmful virus species, including begomoviruses. One novel control approach that has been suggested is silencing the vacuolar H⁺-ATPase (V-ATPase), a vital enzyme found in the endomembranes and plasma membranes responsible for pH homeostasis. Engineered V-ATPase dsRNA can be delivered to <i>B. tabaci</i> through feeding (via transgenic plants as well as root and foliar delivery of naked or formulated dsRNA) and non-feeding (spraying dsRNAs and recombinant entomopathogens) methods. This review considers the potential use of V-ATPase RNAi in combination with cultural/mechanical practices, biorational insecticides/ natural compounds, natural enemies, and biotechnological control strategies. These approaches are promising for integrated whitefly management (IWM) programs, and can potentially reduce excessive use of chemical pesticides and the likelihood of pesticide resistance. Despite their specificity and high efficiency, emerging resistance and the effects on non-target organisms remain concerns. Also, RNAi of different subunits could lead to various outcomes, and V-ATPase silencing may show dissimilar effects against various whitefly biotypes. Here, some challenges have been addressed with various solutions, e.g., appropriate formulations for protecting, carrying, and spreading dsRNAs, along with the use of strong promoters to optimize the effective dosage of the administered dsRNA molecules.