Carmotetraviridae

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Carmotetraviridae is a small family of positive-sense RNA viruses. It has a single genus, Alphacarmotetravirus, which contains one species: Providence virus (Alphacarmotetravirus providencense). Natural hosts are Lepidopteran insects (moths and butterflies).

Structure
- Non-enveloped, icosahedral virions
- Diameter about 40 nanometers
- Capsid has triangulation number 4 (T=4)

Genome
- Linear RNA genome about 6.1 kilobases in length
- Codes for two proteins and contains three open reading frames

Life cycle
- Replication occurs in the cytoplasm
- Entry into host cells is by penetration
- Follows the replication model of positive-sense RNA viruses
- Translation occurs via suppression of termination
- Transmission is through the oral route
- Tissue tropism is the midgut of Lepidoptera

Taxonomy (simplified)
- Realm: Riboviria
- Kingdom: Orthornavirae
- Phylum: Kitrinoviricota
- Class: Tolucaviricetes
- Order: Tolivirales
- Family: Carmotetraviridae
- Genus: Alphacarmotetravirus
- Species: Alphacarmotetravirus providencense

References
- Information from Viral Zone and ICTV classification sources

This family represents a tiny group of insect-infecting viruses with a straightforward genome and a compact life cycle.