Insecticidal crude protein from Citrullus colocynthis L. (Cucurbitaceae) against whitefly, Bemisia tabaci mitotype Asia II-1

The whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae), is a global pest of cotton crops. The whitefly causes severe damage to plants both directly and indirectly due to its high dispersal ability, small size, and high reproductive potential. Besides all the possible factors regarding the outbreak of whitefly populations, the major one is widespread use of insecticides, which not only cause resistance development in whiteflies but also cause mortality in beneficial insects. This study reports the extraction, purification, and characterization of insecticidal crude proteins through SDS-PAGE and LC-MS/MS that have insecticidal potential against B. tabaci under lab conditions. This study reports that C. colocynthis fruit extract was the most effective (62%) and (54%) followed by C. colocynthis seed extract (48%) and (36%), respectively, against adult and nymphal instar of whitefly mitotype Asia II-1. Insecticidal crude protein extraction from C. colocynthis fruit was the most effective (77%) and (73%), followed by C. colocynthis seed crude protein (80%) and (76%), respectively, against the adult and nymphal instars of whitefly mitotype Asia II-1. Integration of C. colocynthis fruit crude protein + C. colocynthis seed crude protein was the most effective (82%) and (78%), against the adult and nymphal instars of whitefly mitotype Asia II-1. This study represents the inaugural controlled assessment conducted in Pakistan, providing valuable insights into the application of C. colocynthis insecticidal crude proteins. The findings offer potential alternative techniques for future pest management strategies.