Iridoviridae

Iridoviridae is a family of viruses with double-stranded DNA genomes. Amphibia, fish, invertebrates, lepidoptera, and orthoptera insects serve as natural hosts. There are currently 11 species in this family, divided among 5 genera. The name is derived from Iris the Greek goddess of the rainbow. This name was chosen because of the "rainbow-like" iridescence observed in heavily infected insects and pelleted samples of invertebrate iridoviruses.