Parasitic nematodes manipulate plant development to establish feeding sites

•Cyst and root-knot nematodes establish neoplastic feeding sites in roots of their host plants.•Plant hormones and small RNAs play a role in feeding site formation and functioning.•Nematodes release secretions to manipulate host functions.•Tools for identification of nematode-derived secretions have to be improved. Cyst and root-knot nematodes, the two economically most important groups of plant parasitic nematodes, induce neoplastic feeding sites in the roots of their host plants. The formation of feeding sites is accompanied by large-scale transcriptomic, metabolomic, and structural changes in host plants. However, the mechanisms that lead to such remarkable changes have remained poorly understood until recently. Now, genomic and genetic analyses have greatly enhanced our understanding of all aspects of plant–nematode interaction. Here, we review some of the recent advances in understanding cyst and root-knot nematode parasitism. In particular, we highlight new findings on the role of plant hormones and small RNAs in nematode feeding site formation and function. Finally, we touch on our emerging understanding of the function of nematode-associated secretions.