This viral disease causes wheat leaves to have a yellow or red discoloration. The discoloration is often more intense near the tip of affected leaves, giving them a flame-like appearance. Barley yellow dwarf often occurs in patches within a field. The size and distribution of these patches depends on the feeding activity of aphids, which spread barley yellow dwarf virus. Infected plants within these patches may be shorter than neighboring healthy plants.
For more information on barley yellow dwarf virus and aphids visit http://utcrops.com/wheat/BYDV.htm
