Comparative Transcriptomics Revealed Physalis floridana Rydb. Influences on the Immune System of the 28-Spotted Ladybird Beetle (Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata)

<i>Physalis floridana</i> Rydb., a member of the Solanaceae family, is renowned for its diverse secondary metabolites, including physalins and withanolides. The 28-spotted ladybird beetle (<i>Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata</i>) is a notorious pest severely damaging Solanaceous crops. This study demonstrates that <i>P. floridana</i> Rydb. significantly impacts on the development and reproductive suppression of <i>H. vigintioctopunctata</i>. A comparative transcriptome analysis was performed by feeding <i>H. vigintioctopunctata</i> larvae on <i>P. floridana</i> Rydb., <i>Solanum nigrum</i> L., <i>Solanum tuberosum</i> L., and <i>Solanum lycopersicum</i> L. The results reveal that larvae fed on <i>P. floridana</i> Rydb. exhibit numerous differentially expressed genes, which are notably enriched in pathways related to energy metabolism, immunity, and detoxification. These functions and pathways are less enriched in larvae fed by other hosts. Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) indicates that feeding on <i>P. floridana</i> Rydb. influences the expression of specific genes involved in the Toll and IMD signaling pathways, impacting the immune system of <i>H. vigintioctopunctata</i> larvae. This study provides transcriptomic insights into larval responses to different diets and suggests that the effect of <i>P. floridana</i> Rydb. on the immune system of <i>H. vigintioctopunctata</i> is a key defense mechanism against herbivores.