[2] Infection reduces the virulence of its parasitic host, making it a hyperparasite useful for blight control.

[1][3] The following species are recognized by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV), all of which were found with Cryphonectria parasitica:[1][2] There are numerous family members affecting other plant-pathogenic fungi not yet accepted into the ICTV nomenclature.

The genome has 1 or 2 open reading frames, named OrfA (not always present) and OrfB.

Both open reading frames of CHV1 contain a papain-like protease to the N-terminal that is autocatalyticly cleaved.

[7] Cryphonectria parasitica, the ascomycete fungus, originated in Asia and causes the disease chestnut blight in several chestnut species (Castanea spp.).