TEP1 and infection: The results showed that Bs treatment significantly increased TEP1 expression in the fourth-instar larvae (L4) and pupae (Pu), 48 h post-infection (hpi) and 72 hpi (t = 11.67, df = 24; t = 26.49, df = 24; t = 10.48, df = 24; t = 11.64, df = 24; P < 0.001 for all), which indicated that Bs treatment could activate the expression of TEP1 and improve the immune response of mosquitoes against Plasmodium. Moreover, TEP1 expression was elevated at 24 hpi and recovered below the basal level at 72 hpi in the control group.