The transmission of the bacteria is produced by insect vectors that feed predominantly on the xylem, characterized by having a chopper-sucking mouthpiece. These belong to the families Cicadellinae, Cicadidae, Aphrophoridae and Cercopidae, of the order Hemiptera.
The bacteria are transmitted between wild hosts and cultured hosts, although among the latter there is also transmission between infected plants and healthy plants. Mechanical transmission through pruning and grafting tools has not been described. The vectors only act as transmitters of the disease at a short distance (their flight capacity is limited to 100 m, although they can travel large distances helped by wind), so the main route of spread of the bacteria over long distances It is the trade of contaminated plants.
The most potent vector insect is Philaenus spumarius.