Plant–Insect Vector–Pathogen Interactions
A special issue of Insects (ISSN 2075-4450).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 April 2025) | Viewed by 2996
Special Issue Editors
Interests: virus–vector–plant relationships; ecology of insect vectors; epidemiology and control of insect-transmitted plant pathogens; plant-insect resistance; integrated pest management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: insect–plant pathogen interactions; biology, ecology and insects’ behaviour; control of vector-borne diseases; crop protection and integrated pest management
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
We invite you to contribute to this Special Issue that focuses on plant–insect vector–pathogen interactions. Literature shows that plant–insect–pathogen interactions are complex and are affected by multiple and intricate factors. This heterogenous research is rapidly evolving and has captured the attention of researchers from different backgrounds. Understanding the biology, ecology and behaviour of insects that act as vectors of plant pathogens is critical in the context of vector-borne diseases. Several features of insect vectors, such as population dynamics or transmission efficiency, are critical drivers of disease outbreaks. Furthermore, disrupting the life cycle of insect vectors with proper timing is essential for developing efficient integrated pest and disease management (IPM). Most research has been focused on hemipteran insects that act as vectors of plant viruses. However, due to the emergence of important plant diseases caused by insect-borne bacteria, an increasing number of studies focusing on plant pathogenic bacterium vector interactions have been published. Furthermore, recent literature highlights the importance of the role of root-feeding insects and the interaction with plant pathogenic fungi affecting plant performance and mortality.
Whilst this topic has been widely investigated, less attention has been paid to how abiotic factors impact complex interactions between plants insects and pathogens. In the context of climate change, abiotic factors such as elevated CO2, temperature and droughts are currently impacting all living organisms. The intensification of these abiotic stressors introduces an element of unpredictability in plant disease epidemics, directly impacting host plants, pathogens, insect vectors and the interactions between them. Therefore, research exploring the interplay between abiotic stressors enhanced by climate changes and interactions among plant, insects and pathogens is urgently needed.
This Special Issue seeks to gather knowledge and to attract researchers studying plant–insect–pathogen interactions at any level. Authors are welcomed to submit original research articles, perspectives, reviews, methodology and opinions.
Dr. Alberto Fereres
Guest Editor
Dr. Clara Lago
Guest Editor Assistant
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Insects is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- plant defence
- insect feeding behaviour and plant responses
- plant pathogen transmission
- impact of climate change on vector borne diseases
- insect feeding behaviour and transmission of plant pathogens
- impact of diseases on crop yield
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