A fatal disease of coconut and other palms. It has swept through the coconut-growing regions of Jamaica, Cuba, the Cayman Islands, and Florida, and is presently destroying palms in the Yucatan. The disease is caused by phytoplasmas and is spread by plant-sucking insects called plant-hoppers. The first visible sign is the dropping of all fruit; this is followed by the withering of new flowers, and yellowing leaves. There is no effective cure; trees die within 3-6 months after appearance of the first symptoms.