Current progress and challenges of horizontal gene transfers in whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) for their sustainable management

DNA transfer between distantly related organisms over the years by means other than reproduction is known as horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Although HGT has played a significant role in the adaptive evolution of pro karyotes, its importance in determining the evolution of eukaryotes, particularly in insect lineages, remains unknown. A thorough examination of high-quality insect genomes has revealed more than the expected number of genes from different donors, bacteria, fungi, viruses, and plants. Most of these transfers have been concen trated in higher numbers in one of the highly destructive hemipteran global insect pests, the whitefly (Bemisia tabaci). Acquisition of genes in whiteflies from different donors has provided several advantages, including synthesizing vital components (biotin, lysine, and pantothenic acid) and a recently identified involvement in detoxifying plant toxins and many other unknowns. This review highlighted recent HGT events in hemipteran insects. We detailed the number and function of the horizontally transferred genes in B. tabaci from different donors and the advantages of such transfers. We also discussed the possibility of using HGT silencing to manage B. tabaci.