Studies of Immune responsive genes in Holotrichia serrata against Metarhizium anisopliae
Metarhizium anisopliae is a widely used entomopathogenic fungus with strong potential as a biological control agent against insect pests. Its application in agriculture offers an eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides, helping to reduce environmental pollution and promote sustainable crop production. White grubs, particularly Holotrichia serrata, are destructive soil pests that damage crop roots and cause major yield losses. Their control mainly depends on chemical insecticides, while biological methods are still being optimized. In this study, a virulent strain of M. anisopliae was used to infect white grub larvae under controlled conditions. RNA was extracted from infected and control larvae and subjected to transcriptome sequencing to analyze gene expression changes. The results revealed significant alterations in genes associated with immune response, stress regulation, apoptosis, and protein degradation during fungal infection. This study provides important insights into the molecular interaction between H. serrata and M. anisopliae, helping to understand the host defense mechanisms and fungal pathogenicity. The identified candidate genes can be further explored to improve biological control strategies and support the development of sustainable pest management approaches.