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Sweet taste sensation plays a critical role in feeding-site selection, dietary evaluation, and appetite regulation in insects. This capability is particularly vital for phloem-feeding insects, as their feeding site lies deep within the leaf and contains extremely high concentrations of sugars, primarily sucrose, that can pose osmoregulatory challenges. The molecular basis of sweet taste perception relies on the activity of gustatory receptors. In previous work, we demonstrated that Bemisia tabaci Gustatory Receptor 1 (BtabGR1) is highly sensitive to sucrose and contributes to feeding-site selection, as shown using artificial diet assays. Building on these findings, we now investigate how additional dietary compounds influence the feeding behavior of B. tabaci. Our recent behavioral and pharmacological studies suggest that interactions among multiple dietary cues generate integrated sensory signals, allowing whiteflies to fine-tune their feeding strategies.
