Palm lethal yellowing (Candidatus Phytoplasma palmae 16SrIV) is a phytoplasm of palms.
Lethal Yellowing is a phytoplasma disease that attacks many species of palms, including some commercially important species such as the Coconut and Date Palm. It is spread by the planthopper Haplaxius crudus which is native to Florida, parts of the Caribbean and Central America. Infected plants will normally die in 3 to 6 months. Infection occurs when palm trees grow near turf grasses, the host for the larvae of the planthopper.
For more information about this plant pest, see the CAPS data sheet and the CABI data sheet.