In order to probe whether the MaChs genes contributed to the ability of the fungus to evade specific immune defenses three aspects of the host immune reaction were examined; (1) the expression of Defensin and Attacin, Toll- and/or Imd-activating antimicrobial peptide genes, in the insect fat bodies, (2) nodule formation was quantified after fungal infection, and (3) phenoloxidase (PO) activity was quantified in the insect hemolymph. Here, TLR4 is linked to fungal infectious disease.