Diseases associated with this genus include: DCV: increased reproductive potential; extremely pathogenic when injected with high associated mortality; CrPV: paralysis and death.

[1][2] These viruses can produce proteins directly from their RNA genome upon entering a cell; and therefore, does not require an RNA polymerase packaged in with it, as this may be produced from the genome after entering the cell.

[3] The name of the cripavirus family originates from its most famous member the Cricket Paralysis Virus.

The Cripavirus IRES is an RNA element that allows the virus to bind the ribosome and translate without a need for any initiation factors[4] – as initiation is the most regulated step of translation this allows the virus to avoid many mechanisms to inhibit viral activity.

The genus contains the following species:[2] Viruses in Cripavirus are non-enveloped, have capsids of 12 capsomers, and have icosahedral geometries with T=pseudo3 symmetry.