Immune molecules in hemolymph of Spodoptera litura infested with entomopathogenic fungus

To control insect pests, entomopathogenic fungi are used which are also ideal for the study of host-pathogen interaction. In the current study, the effect of fungal pathogens namely Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae and Trichoderma virens were used to control the larval stages of Spodoptera litura without any deleterious effects on the environment. For this the presence of immune molecules in the hemolymph were analyzed. The levels of phenoloxidase were detected in all the hemolymph fractions (serum, plasma, hemocyte lysate supernatant). Subsequently the inducible prophenoloxidase were also analyzed using elicitors which were also confirmed using certain inhibitors, indicating that proPO/PO is instantly activated to overcome the fungal infection. In addition, IL-12 p40 like molecule was detected in the hemolymph and impacts of these fungal pathogens on the developmental stages of S. litura were discussed.