Subfamily Densovirinae

Taxonomic Structure of the Subfamily

Distinguishing Features

Viruses assigned to the subfamily Densovirinae infect arthropods. The ssDNA genome of virions is either of positive or negative sense. Upon extraction, the complementary DNA strands usually form dsDNA. There are four structural proteins. Viruses multiply efficiently in most of the tissues of larvae, nymphs, and adult host species without the involvement of helper viruses. Cellular changes consist of hypertrophy of the nucleus with accumulation of virions therein to form dense, voluminous intranuclear masses. The known host range includes members of the Dictyoptera, Diptera, Lepidoptera, Odonata and Orthoptera. There is evidence that densovirus-like viruses also infect and multiply in crabs and shrimps.