A fungal pathogen secretes a cell wall-associated β-N-acetylhexosaminidase that is co-expressed with chitinases to contribute to infection of insects.

These data support a mechanism that the fungal pathogen specifically expresses BbHex1, which is co-expressed with chitinases to modify cell wall for evasion of insect immune recognition and to degrade insect cuticle, and contributes to the fungal virulence against insects. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.