Dissecting the multifaceted mechanisms that drive leafhopper host-phytoplasma specificity.

Plant pathogen-vector complexes cause some of the most important diseases of crops worldwide, and are among the most difficult to manage effectively. Novel strategies are now needed for their management based on mechanistic understanding of transmission processes. Since the publication by Academic Press of a four-volume series on Vector Biology by Maramorosch et al during the 1970-80’s’s there have been no follow-on reference books that offer a contemporary treatment of pathogen-vector interactions and vector biology. The chapters in the proposed book will be written by well-known vector biologists from the fields of entomology and plant virology and pathology, in the instances for which it was possible, the authors together represent both perspectives. Several chapters are authored by experts outside the arena of vector interactions, but bring valuable, cross-disciplinary perspectives to relevant aspects of many vector-transmission systems, in particular the chapter on saliva and chemical ecology of plant vector-host interactions. The inclusion of chapterlets on ‘emerging pathogen-complexes is suggested in order to raise awareness of these newly occurring diseases that remain poorly studied and whose inclusion in the book will highlight the need for attention by the community. In any case, each author brings expertise and breadth in pathogen-vector interactions in distinct focus areas. For certain systems the level of knowledge is in its infancy (emergent), while for others specific molecular and cellular components are well known to govern the transmission processes, while others are in intermediate stages of elucidation. A Glossary of Terms is planned and Elaine Backus (entomology, feeding behavior) has agreed to take the lead on this section and J.K. Brown will work with her to bring the virology perspective.