Pentastiridius leporinus as a plant disease vector: Updated insights, emerging challenges, and research priorities

Since the last review (Lang et al., 2025), the spread of Pentastiridius leporinus and its role as a vector have intensified considerably, with increasing evidence of its expanding geographic range, enhanced transmission dynamics, and growing epidemiological relevance across multiple cropping systems in Central Europe. Novel vector-borne diseases are spreading at an ever-increasing rate and threatening key crops such as sugar beet and potato, as well as carrot, asparagus, and rhubarb, which are crucial to European food security and the stability of entire value chains. Particularly dangerous are the bacterial pathogens of the 16SrXII-Phytoplasma assigned to ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ (PHYPSO) (Quaglino et al., 2017; Duduk et al., 2023; Toth et al., 2025), and ‘Candidatus Arsenophonus phytopathogenicus’ (ARSEPH), which can cause massive losses in yield and quality. Both are transmitted by cixiid planthopper species P. leporinus (mainly in Germany and bordering countries) and Reptalus quinquecostatus1 (abundant mainly in the Pannonian plain). Their spread is greatly facilitated by climate change, increasing globalization and intensive crop rotation systems, which collectively promote vector survival, shorten developmental cycles, and increase host plant availability year-round.

Here, authors present an updated overview of current knowledge and fundamental research, with particular emphasis on management strategies and persistent research gaps. These gaps underscore the need for solution-oriented scientific work to support farmers and industry in maintaining independence from the countries currently affected, while enhancing resilience through integrated pest management, improved monitoring systems, and the development of sustainable control measures targeting both vectors and associated pathogens.tly affected, while enhancing resilience through integrated pest management, improved monitoring systems, and the development of sustainable control measures targeting both vectors and associated pathogens.

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