Plant bacteria of the genus Xanthomonas inject secretory effectors into plant cells via the type III secretion system, with the bacterium itself remaining outside the cell and manipulating nutrients in the extracellular space[2]. Phan et al. demonstrated that an effector from Xanthomonas citri pv. citri activates the fruit ripening pathway in the host, leading to the release of sugars from the cell walls[2]. Wang et al. have described a generative mechanism in Xanthomonas in which the inserted effector directly generates a nutrient source for the pathogen[2]. Both studies are published in the same issue of Science and provide molecular mechanisms by which pathogens "trick" the plant to obtain sugars[2]. The report highlights that these mechanisms are different - one modulates host physiology (maturation), the other directly synthesizes or releases nutrients[2]. The author of the commentary summarizes that the findings explain how Xanthomonas ensures the availability of sugars in the extracellular space to support its replication[2].