Lethal yellowing (LY) is a fast-spreading disease which destroys coconut and other palms. Once limited to the Greater Antilles except for Puerto Rico, it has crossed ocean barriers of 14 5 km or greater to invade new areas and thus should be considered a threat to Puerto Rico and the Lesser Antilles. The American palm cixiid (Myndus crudus Van Duzee), which is the known vector of LY, has not been reported in Puerto Rico nor in the Lesser Antilles north of Trinidad. Otherwise, environmental conditions appear to be conducive to the spread of LY, were it introduced into these islands. Principles and techniques which could lessen the risk of introduction and spread of LY in the eastern Caribbean are discussed.