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deltabaculoviruses

Deltabaculoviruses are a genus within the family Baculoviridae. They comprise granuloviruses that infect Diptera, especially mosquito species. Members have a narrow host range and are insect-specific, with no known vertebrate pathogens. Like other baculoviruses, deltabaculoviruses are studied as models of virus–host interactions and for potential use in biological control.

Genomics and structure: Deltabaculoviruses form one of the four recognized baculovirus genera (the others being Alphabaculovirus,

Life cycle and applications: Infection begins when occlusion bodies are ingested by susceptible larvae; dissolution in

Betabaculovirus,
and
Gammabaculovirus).
They
possess
circular
double-stranded
DNA
genomes,
typically
in
the
80–100
kilobase
range,
encoding
a
conserved
set
of
baculovirus
genes.
The
virions
are
enveloped,
rod-shaped
nucleocapsids,
and
the
occlusion
bodies
are
granular
(granuloviruses)
and
protect
virions
in
the
environment
to
facilitate
oral
infection
of
new
hosts.
the
gut
releases
infectious
virions
that
initiate
infection
in
midgut
cells,
after
which
budded
virions
spread
systemically
within
the
host.
Because
of
their
specificity
for
dipteran
pests,
deltabaculoviruses
are
of
interest
for
ecological
pest
management
and
mosquito
population
control,
though
practical
applications
have
been
limited
and
safety
for
non-target
organisms
is
an
active
area
of
evaluation.
The
ICTV
recognizes
Deltabaculovirus
as
a
valid
genus
within
Baculoviridae.