Drosophila C virus

Drosophila C virus belongs to the genus Cripavirus and was previously thought to be a member of the virus family Picornaviridae; it has since been classified as belonging to the Dicistroviridae. It is a single stranded positive sense RNA virus of approximately 9300 nucleotides and it contains two open reading frames. The virus particles are 30 nm in diameter and are made up of approximately 30% of RNA and 70% protein. The virus capsid is composed of three major polypeptides and two minor polypeptides. Drosophila C virus infects Drosophila melanogaster and was first discovered in the early 1970s in a French strain of drosophila. The virus is transmitted by feeding so is almost non-pathogenic. However experimental evidence has shown that when injected into adult flies the virus is incredibly pathogenic as it causes the adult flies to die within 3-4 days following injection. Drosophila that are infected with Drosophila C virus develop more quickly, the females are heavier and produce more eggs therefore more offspring in comparison to drosophila not infected with the virus. Infection with drosophila C virus can also increase mortality rate within a drosophila population.