Any of a large group of viruses that develop in arthropods (chiefly mosquitoes and ticks).
The name derives from " ar thropod- bo rne virus ." The spheroidal virus particle is encased in a fatty membrane and contains RNA ; it causes no apparent harm to the arthropod host. Arboviruses are transmitted by bites to vertebrate hosts, in which they establish infections and complete their growth cycle; they include the agents responsible for yellow fever and equine encephalitis . See also togavirus .