A condition characterized by white patches on the skin caused by the destruction of melanocytes is called

Answer: Vitiligo.

Vitiligo is a disease in which the loss of the natural pigmentation of the skin occurs. Melanocytes, the skin cell that produces the pigment melanin, are reduced in number. This despigmentation usually occurs in the form of white spots (hypochromia) of various sizes and can be either focal or diffuse.