Ascovirus is a family of double strand DNA viruses that infect primarily invertebrates. Currently only a single genus in this family is recognised: Ascovirus.
Six species in this genus are currently known. The type species is Spodoptera frugiperda ascovirus 1a which infects the army worm (Spodoptera frugiperda). Other species include Spodoptera frugiperda ascovirus-1d.
The genome is not segmented and contains a single molecule of circular double-stranded DNA. The genome has a guanine + cytosine content of 42-60%.
The genome of Spodoptera frugiperda ascovirus 1a has been sequenced. It is 156,922 bases in length and encodes 123 putative open reading frames. The G+C ratio is 49.2%. Among the encoded proteins are a caspase, a cathepsin B, several kinases, E3 ubiquitin ligases, a fatty acid elongase, a sphingomyelinase, a phosphate acyltransferase and a patatin-like phospholipase.
The virions consist of an envelope, a core, and an internal lipid membrane associated with the inner particle. The virus capsid is enveloped and measures 130 nm in diameter, and 200-240 nm in length. Virions are bacilliform, ovoid, and allantoid.
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