Ascovirus
Ascovirus is a genus of viruses within the family Ascoviridae. These viruses infect insect larvae, primarily belonging to the order Lepidoptera, which includes moths and butterflies. Ascoviruses are characterized by their large, rod-shaped virions and a complex replication cycle that occurs within both the nucleus and cytoplasm of host cells.
The infection process typically begins when an insect larva ingests ascovirus particles. Once inside the gut,
Ascovirus infections can cause significant damage to host insect populations, leading to developmental abnormalities, reduced growth