Abstract
Whiteflies of the Bemisia tabaci complex, along with the plant viruses they transmit, pose significant challenges to crop production worldwide. Upon infestation or infection, intimate interactions occur between plant hosts and these pests, influencing the spread and severity of pest-related epidemics in natural and agricultural ecosystems. This review explores the role of the salicylic acid (SA) signaling pathway, an essential component of plant defense, in modulating plant interactions with whiteflies and whitefly-borne viruses. We first outline the biosynthesis and signal transduction of SA. We then analyze how whitefly infestation activates the SA signaling pathway and how this defense response affects whitefly performance and preference. Next, we explore the interactions between the SA signaling pathway and whitefly-borne plant viruses, especially begomoviruses, which often activate and manipulate this pathway. We also examine how the SA signaling pathway influences plant-whitefly-virus tripartite interactions, highlighting the significant role of this defense pathway in whitefly-induced changes in plant-virus interactions and virus-induced changes in plant-whitefly interactions. Finally, we identify key areas for future research to further unravel the complexities of plant interactions with whiteflies and whitefly-borne viruses.