Kitaviridae

plant viruses • plant diseases • pests-diseases-weeds

symptoms of Citrus leprosis virus infection on citrus (click on image to enlarge it)
Author(s): Carlos Amadeu Leite de Oliveira, Universidade Estadual Paulista
Source: IPM Images

Kitaviridae - plant viruses

The family Kitaviridae includes plant viruses which have single-stranded, positive-sensed RNA genomes and, as far as studied, bacilliform particles. They appear to be mainly transmitted by plant parasitic mites. For example, the genus Cilevirus with the economically important 'citrus leprosis virus C' (see Cilevirus leprosis) belongs to this family, and is transmitted by mites of the genus Brevipalpus. Taxonomically, the Kitaviridae are closely related to the family Virgaviridae, which however have long, rod-shaped particles. The family is named in reference to the virologist Elliot Watanabe Kitajima.

The following plant infecting virus genera and species are currently entered under this family:

• Cilevirus (genus)