The planthopper Pentastiridius leporinus, vector of bacterial pathogens, has built up high population densities in recent years and has spread across many federal states in Germany. The cultivation areas within the distribution area of the planthopper have been growing for years, meaning an increasing risk for agricultural production and processing industry. Affected crops are high-value root crops—not just sugar beets anymore, but also potatoes and root vegetables. Strategies against P. leporinus and its pathogens should consider all crops within crop rotations, be based on preventive measures and need to be ruled out as a collective. What do we know yet and what could future control strategies look like? The current status is explained by representatives of the Julius Kühn Institute, the LLG and the sugar industry.