The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) yellowing disease (BYD) is caused by the Horsegram yellow mosaic virus (HgYMV), which is a begomovirus transmitted Bemisia tabaci Genn.). It is a serious threat to the common bean cultivation in Sri Lanka. Despite the long time, its etiology and virus vector relationships are not understood well. Therefore, the present work was carried out to identify major aspects of the etiology of the virus. Initially a survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of the virus in representative bean growing locations in Sri Lanka, followed by a host range study using 54 plant species. Characteristics of virus-vector relationships were determined by conducting a series of virus transmission tests under glasshouse conditions. The survey results revealed the incidence of BYD at some time or the other in most of the sampled localities, which are scattered around all four major districts where the common bean is grown. Through the host range study, it was demonstrated that Ageratum sp., Glycine max Merrill., (Lam.) Verdc., and Phaseolus lunatus L. are susceptible to HgYMV, indicating a narrow host range. In addition to the symptomatology, the successful entry of the virus following 96.7 %, which corresponds to 0.24 of the estimated probability could be transmitted through probing by a single viruliferous acquisition access period and inoculation access period were 20 min in each case and the respective disease incidence values could retain the virus in an active state for up to 9 days. : Begomovirus, Bemisia tabaci Genn., common bean yellowing disease, Horsegram yellow mosaic virus (HgYMV), host range, virus transmission.