See text Geminiviridae is a family of plant viruses that encode their genetic information on a circular genome of single-stranded (ss) DNA.

Mastrevirus and curtovirus transmission is via various leafhopper species (e.g. maize streak virus and other African streak viruses are transmitted by Cicadulina mbila), the only known topocuvirus species, Tomato pseudo-curly top virus, is transmitted by the treehopper Micrutalis malleifera, and begomoviruses are transmitted by the whitefly species, Bemisia tabaci.

Other contributing factors include the transport of infected plant material to new locations, expansion of agriculture into new growing areas, and the expansion and migration of vectors that can spread the virus from one plant to another.

They have elongated, geminate capsids with two incomplete T=1 icosahedra joined at the missing vertex.

[10] These viruses tend to be introduced into and initially infect differentiated plant cells, via the piercing mouthparts of the vector insect: however, these cells generally lack the host enzymes necessary for DNA replication, making it difficult for the virus to replicate.

[16] Geminiviruses are capable of horizontal gene transfer of genetic information to the plant host.