Transcriptome analysis of Solenopsis invicta infected by Metarhizium anisopliae at different time points
To investigate the immune response of the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) to the fungal pathogen Metarhizium anisopliae, we performed RNA-Seq analysis. Fire ants were infected with M. anisopliae and samples were collected at 12 hours and 24 hours post-infection. Comparative transcriptomic analysis was conducted to identify differentially expressed genes related to immune defense and pathogen resistance.