Bacterial vector-borne plant diseases: global issues caused by three-way interactions

Plant vascular tissues offer a unique habitat for piercing-sucking insects and the pathogens they carry. These insect-borne bacteria can infect thousands of plant species, threatening agriculture and food security. However, our understanding of their interactions with insect vectors and plant hosts is limited compared with that of the virus-vector-plant system, hindering the development of eco-friendly disease control methods. This review highlights recent findings on interactions between insects, plants, and key bacterial pathogens, including Xylella fastidiosa, Spiroplasmas, Phytoplasmas, and Liberibacters. We also discuss current management strategies and future directions.