m6A-Mediated Regulation of CYP417B1 Contributes to Imidacloprid Resistance in Bemisia tabaci

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent and evolutionarily conserved internal RNA modification; however, its role in insect biology and insecticide resistance remains largely unexplored. Here, we investigate the involvement of m6A methylation in imidacloprid resistance in the whitefly Bemisia tabaci. Our results identify five core m6A methyltransferases linked to imidacloprid resistance. Specifically, we highlight CYP417B1, a key detoxification enzyme, as a critical contributor to metabolic resistance against imidacloprid. Furthermore, we demonstrate that m6A modification regulates CYP417B1 expression by modulating its 3′ untranslated region (3′ UTR). These findings uncover a novel mechanism by which m6A modification influences insecticide resistance through the regulation of detoxification gene expression. This study enhances our understanding of the biological functions of m6A methyltransferases in insecticide resistance and offers valuable insights for developing sustainable pest management strategies.