# How you can easily make virus observations **URL:** \ **Category:** Nature Talk\ **Created:** [October 17, 2021, 1:16am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-you-can-easily-make-virus-observations/27236 "2021-10-17T01:16:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![user82793](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecd19e/32.png) [@user82793](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/user82793)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2021, 1:16am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-you-can-easily-make-virus-observations/27236/1 "2021-10-17T01:16:59Z")
Viruses are everywhere. By some measures they’re the most abundant component of the biosphere. Whether you describe them as “alive” is a semantic distraction that I don’t want to discuss here – they’re biological entities that are classified into species, genera, families, and so on, and they can be observed and identified on iNaturalist ([here](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/131236-Viruses)). Viruses have immense environmental, agricultural, medical, and societal impacts, and so understanding them and collecting data on them are likewise immensely important. However, few iNaturalists are even aware that viruses may be observed on iNaturalist, and the number and diversity of virus observations is low. Of course, many viruses cannot be detected without laboratory techniques, but this is not always true. I would like to provide some suggestions on how you can easily make your first virus observation. Below is a list of commonly seen and relatively unambiguous signs of viral infection. **On your own body or the body of a consenting family member or friend** - Typical warts – subfamily [_Firstpapillomavirinae_](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/783080-Firstpapillomavirinae) - Molluscum contagiosum, a.k.a. water warts – species [_Molluscum contagiosum virus_](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/1184360-Molluscum-contagiosum-virus) - Chickenpox / shingles – species [_Human alphaherpesvirus three_](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?taxon_id=994487) - Oral / genital herpes – genus [_Simplexvirus_](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/953470-Simplexvirus). I believe genital herpes would require close cropping to comply with iNaturalist’s policy on nudity. - Roseola – genus [_Roseolovirus_](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/994545-Roseolovirus). Be the first to observe this species! - Measles – species [_Measles morbillivirus_](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/985774-Measles-morbillivirus). Be the first to observe this species! - Rubella – species [_Rubivirus rubellae_](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/1292993-Rubivirus-rubellae). Be the first to observe this species! - The ‘common cold’, flu, COVID-19, AIDS, dengue fever, yellow fever – best avoided unless you have had a diagnostic test performed, as the symptoms are ambiguous. **In your garden, your neighbours’ gardens, or urban vegetation** - Rose witch’s broom – species [_Rose rosette emaravirus_](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/890904-Rose-rosette-emaravirus) - Isopod iridovirus (blue slaters / pillbugs) – species [_Invertebrate iridescent virus 31_](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/528141-Invertebrate-iridescent-virus-31) - Pokeweed mosaic disease – species [_Pokeweed mosaic virus_](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/994504-Pokeweed-mosaic-virus) - Hackberry mosaic disease – genus [_Ampelovirus_](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/994782-Ampelovirus) - Fig mosaic disease – species [_Fig mosaic emaravirus_](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/994471-Fig-mosaic-emaravirus) - Watermelon ringspot – species [_Watermelon mosaic virus_](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/1116141-Watermelon-mosaic-virus). Also found in grocery stores. - Camellias, roses, legumes, and nightshades (Solanaceae) – prone to numerous viral diseases that can be considered on a case-by-case basis. **On your pets** - Avian pox – genus [_Avipoxvirus_](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/484645-Avipoxvirus) - Beak and feather disease – species [_Beak and feather disease virus_](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/1163883-Beak-and-feather-disease-virus). Be the first to observe this species! - Myxomatosis – species [_Myxoma virus_](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/1074425-Myxoma-virus) If I have missed something you think should be included in this list, please make note of it. You’re welcome to tag me on any observation you think might show a viral disease. You are also encouraged to join the project [Viruses of the World](https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/viruses-of-the-world), where additional resources can be accessed. ---
**Author:** ![marina\_gorbunova](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/marina_gorbunova/32/31454_2.png) [@marina\_gorbunova](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/marina_gorbunova)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2021, 1:30am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-you-can-easily-make-virus-observations/27236/2 "2021-10-17T01:30:22Z")
Could you explain what is the best id for papillomas? ---
**Author:** ![marina\_gorbunova](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/marina_gorbunova/32/31454_2.png) [@marina\_gorbunova](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/marina_gorbunova)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2021, 1:35am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-you-can-easily-make-virus-observations/27236/4 "2021-10-17T01:35:31Z")
Thank you! I knew about family, I checked now that the second subfamily is some rare fish thing, it’s cool! ---
**Author:** ![susanhewitt](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/susanhewitt/32/887_2.png) [@susanhewitt](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/susanhewitt)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2021, 1:57am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-you-can-easily-make-virus-observations/27236/5 "2021-10-17T01:57:53Z")
Thanks so much James! Great to encourage people to do this. ---
**Author:** ![leptonia](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/leptonia/32/230_2.png) [@leptonia](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/leptonia)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2021, 2:48am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-you-can-easily-make-virus-observations/27236/6 "2021-10-17T02:48:28Z")
This is awesome! I really hope people make a greater effort to observe viruses and their consequences! @user82793 do you know how feasible it is to observe the viruses themselves? My understanding is that they are generally really really small – maybe to small to visualize with a light microscope. But I’d love to see one if there happen to be any easy representatives. ---
**Author:** ![adamgraham](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/adamgraham/32/21662_2.png) [@adamgraham](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/adamgraham)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2021, 5:49am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-you-can-easily-make-virus-observations/27236/7 "2021-10-17T05:49:27Z")
Australia has [Flutracking.net](http://Flutracking.net) which is a weekly survey that asks about cold and flu symptoms. I do this every week, it is quick and easy. Obviously a very useful resource. I don’t think participation is limited to Australia, but most of the data is coming from Australian participants (often health care workers). [Flutracking.net | Tracking Influenza Across Australia and New Zealand](https://info.flutracking.net/) ---
**Author:** ![astra\_the\_dragon](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/astra_the_dragon/32/37251_2.png) [@astra\_the\_dragon](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/astra_the_dragon)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2021, 10:23am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-you-can-easily-make-virus-observations/27236/9 "2021-10-17T10:23:21Z")
For those not hasty to get an ID, you can upload plant infections! Some of the most common and easily identified are listed here already. But any time you see odd patches of colour, striping, etc. where they shouldn’t be on a plant, or odd shapes and lumps on stems etc., there is probably an infection which may be viral. It is worth noting that the large majority of infections are host-specific, so when you also upload the host organism, make sure to report back with its ID in the infection observation :) ---
**Author:** ![susanhewitt](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/susanhewitt/32/887_2.png) [@susanhewitt](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/susanhewitt)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2021, 11:27pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-you-can-easily-make-virus-observations/27236/10 "2021-10-17T23:27:13Z")
I wrote a little journal post about Viruses in May 2020: [https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/susanhewitt/36292-viruses-in-nyc-in-plants-not-people](https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/susanhewitt/36292-viruses-in-nyc-in-plants-not-people) ---
**Author:** ![jasonhernandez74](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/jasonhernandez74/32/33615_2.png) [@jasonhernandez74](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/jasonhernandez74)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2021, 4:12am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-you-can-easily-make-virus-observations/27236/11 "2021-10-19T04:12:51Z")
> [@user82793](#): > > **On your own body or the body of a consenting family member or friend** > > - Typical warts – subfamily [_Firstpapillomavirinae_](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/783080-Firstpapillomavirinae) That’s how I got my first virus observation. Surprised nobody mentioned [Banana Bunchy Top Virus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana_bunchy_top_virus), considering its economic importance. For that matter, I am surprised iNaturalist has no taxon for it! This virus has the potential to decimate the banana industry. ---
**Author:** ![jasonhernandez74](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/jasonhernandez74/32/33615_2.png) [@jasonhernandez74](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/jasonhernandez74)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2021, 2:54am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-you-can-easily-make-virus-observations/27236/13 "2021-10-20T02:54:28Z")
> [@user82793](#): > > I doubt the average iNaturalist user grows their own bananas. I see observations of bananas all the time – because I provide IDs for the Caribbean region often. As iNaturalist is a global platform, it has many users in countries where bananas grow. Thank you for adding the taxon. ---
**Author:** ![egordon88](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/egordon88/32/29204_2.png) [@egordon88](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/egordon88)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2021, 4:01am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-you-can-easily-make-virus-observations/27236/14 "2021-10-20T04:01:42Z")
> [@user82793](#): > > nightshades (Solanaceae) Curly top virus should be relatively easy to observe for many gardeners ---
**Author:** ![anon83178471](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ec9cab/32.png) [@anon83178471](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/anon83178471)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2021, 5:15pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-you-can-easily-make-virus-observations/27236/16 "2021-10-20T17:15:43Z")
This is merely out of concern that I did it wrong since I don’t really know _too_ much about navigating viruses, but, did I do this right? [https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/98801515](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/98801515) I looked up the virus that causes plantar warts and it was human papilloma virus and so I put that. It’s awkward for me to not be uploading plants and animals since that’s really all I do, so I wanted to get confirmation that I didn’t completely bungle it. ---
**Author:** ![ionam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@ionam](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/ionam)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2021, 7:35pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-you-can-easily-make-virus-observations/27236/17 "2021-10-20T19:35:35Z")
iNat suggested this as an interesting topic shortly after I joined. It was very much correct! I was rather excited today to see what looked viral on dock leaves, but I’m starting to think it may have been fungal. Thoughts? [https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/98789205](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/98789205) Also, should I duplicate it to record an observation for the host plant? ---
**Author:** ![ionam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@ionam](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/ionam)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2021, 7:40pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-you-can-easily-make-virus-observations/27236/18 "2021-10-20T19:40:58Z")
…and within a few more mins of research, I know believe I’m looking at Puccinia phragmitis ---
**Author:** ![charlie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d6d6ee/32.png) [@charlie](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/charlie)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2021, 8:41pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-you-can-easily-make-virus-observations/27236/21 "2021-10-20T20:41:22Z")
Too bad i don’t have photos of some warts i had long ago, though i am glad they are gone. TMI but i’m here for it. ---
**Author:** ![ionam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@ionam](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/ionam)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2021, 10:32pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-you-can-easily-make-virus-observations/27236/22 "2021-10-20T22:32:11Z")
Host observation created. I shall try again to find something viral in the near future. Thanks for your help. ---
**Author:** ![astra\_the\_dragon](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/astra_the_dragon/32/37251_2.png) [@astra\_the\_dragon](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/astra_the_dragon)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2021, 11:24pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-you-can-easily-make-virus-observations/27236/23 "2021-10-20T23:24:46Z")
Before we know it, observations of viruses may… go viral ---
**Author:** ![anon83178471](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ec9cab/32.png) [@anon83178471](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/anon83178471)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2021, 3:53pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-you-can-easily-make-virus-observations/27236/25 "2021-10-21T15:53:28Z")
Thanks so much again! ---
**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/2X/7/7831452cf7f0d653ff1ffd34176334b7ef1b6a17.png) [@system](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/system)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 1:08am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-you-can-easily-make-virus-observations/27236/27 "2021-12-21T01:08:54Z")
Closed on December 21, 2021, 1:08am UTC This topic was automatically closed 60 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed. ---
**Author:** ![cthawley](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/cthawley/32/1445_2.png) [@cthawley](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/cthawley)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2022, 11:43pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/how-you-can-easily-make-virus-observations/27236/28 "2022-12-13T23:43:00Z")
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