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The hypovirulence phenotype in Cryphonectria parasitica, the causalagent of chestnut blight, is associated with a cytoplasmic, double-stranded RNA(dsRNA) virus. Factors which may restrict the transfer of this dsRNA were studied. The findings indicate that dsRNA can be transferred among compatible and incompatible isolates of C. parasitica. However, this transfer is limited due to the antagonistic interactions among the incompatible isolates. Furthermore, transfer occurs only through substrate hyphae. Temperature is alsoan important factor limiting transfer. Freezing temperatures cause a loss of the dsRNA.