Potyvirus is a genus of
viruses, in the family
Potyviridae. Plants serve as natural hosts. There are currently 158 species in this genus including the type species
Potato virus Y. The genus is named after the type virus (
Potato virus
Y). Potyviruses account for ~30% of the currently known plant viruses. Like
Begomoviruses, members of this genus may cause significant losses in agricultural, pastoral, horticultural and ornamental crops. More than 200 species of
aphids spread potyviruses and most are from the subfamily
Aphidinae (genera
Macrosiphum and
Myzus).