I get the same thing on my xmas palm, definitely spider mites. i spray with a hose then wipe each leaf off, this seems to work for about a month then they come back.

They arent spider mites, I forget exactly what they are, but they can easily be taken care of with soap water, and a little bit of neem oil (neem oil will get rid of lots of other bugs too and will not harm plants, pets, or good bugs!). I had them on my coconut palm one year and I actually put a tiny bit of rubbing alcohol on a towel and wiped each and every leaflet of each frond. It worked, but the rubbing alcohol did dry out the leaves a lot so I would never risk my plants with that method again.
Good luck!
-Alex

I second Alex!

I know it's not popular with some but each August while it is still warm enough for real growth but about 4-6 weeks before I have to bring mine in I treat with systemic granuals. i have not seen anything but a tiny bit of scale in 8 years. First palms I bought (Xmas and Roebi) 8 years ago were infested come witner and i had no idea what mites were. it's never happened again.

Thanks everyone! I'm gonna have to go and get some Neem Oil tomorrow... and possibly where a coat! its gonna be 50 degrees her in PIT tomorrow!

Any idea what these are called? I have the same on my palms. Have treated with insecticide, but would like to know wha they are.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_palm_pest_insects

Or,put a fan on nearby. Mites hate fresh air and a breeze.

I think those are breeding fungus gnats.

Now that I look at the photo and not just the title...I dont even see bugs at all. You sure those aren't ordinary palm blemishes?

IF they move then I would say they are thrips. If thrips..lots of ways to kill them. Systemic works best but non hard chemicals like that could work..Hort oils, etc.

They don't seem to move, but are firmly attached on one end. Looking at them through a microscope, they don't appear to have legs or wings. Looks like they are growing on the plant.

Hello, I was curious if you found any resolution to this or what it was? This was the only place I could find something that looks similar to what I have on my Christmas tree palm thanks

I managed to speak to NParks in Singapore and they confirmed that these "black things" are a normal part of the plant and nothing to be concerned about. I forget exactly what they are called.

The declining health of my plants was due to under fertilisation and mealy bugs which I could not see. I feed them with a combination of chicken manure and osmocote. I am also using a systemic insecticide to get the mealy under control. They are already looking much better!