Abstract

The most recent taxon described Negevirus is made up of a broad collection of viruses that are only found in insects, including mosquitoes and phlebotomine sandflies. In this study, nearly full-length sequences of 91 novel negevirus isolates collected in Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Panama, the United States, and Nepal were subjected to extensive genetic characterization, molecular, epidemiological, and evolutionary analysis. With roots connected to three plant virus genera, we showed that these arthropod-restricted viruses are clustered in two major evolutionary groups (Cilevirus, Higrevirus and Blunevirus). The majority of negeviruses lack distinct host associations, according to molecular investigations; instead, they exhibit considerable genetic variability, a broad host range, and cross-species transmission. The information reported here also identified two arthropod-restrictive viral species and five unique insect-specific viruses, previously proposed as Nelorpivirus and Sandewavirus are separate genera. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of this group of insect-specific viruses' molecular epidemiology, evolution, taxonomy, and stability.