Locust Watch
Locusts in Caucasus and Central Asia
Moroccan Locust (DMA), Tajikistan 2008 ©FAO/A. Monard

General situation during July 2024, Forecast for August 2024 

Moroccan Locust (DMA) natural cycle completed in Azerbaijan and in all Central Asian (CA) countries while mating and egg-laying continued in Georgia and the Russian Federation. Italian Locust (CIT) started fledging and mating in Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA). Asian Migratory Locust (LMI) fledging and mating started in most parts of Kazakhstan and Russian Federation, while its hopper development continued in Kostanay region of Kazakhstan. The situation with DMA was considered caution in the North Caucasus Federal District of the Russian Federation and in Georgia. Similar caution was considered for CIT in Georgia and Kyrgyzstan, as well as for CIT and LMI in Kazakhstan. A threat situation was mentioned in the Russian Federation as the movements of swarms of these two species, which started in some parts, could further threaten the crops. The situation became calm for other species and elsewhere. Countries continued summer surveys of adults and egg-laying sites. Overall, 1  117 352 hectares (ha) were treated in July, for a total of 4 087 435 ha since the start of campaign in CCA, which is 58% higher than in 2023 at the same period (2  590 326 ha). In the forecasted period, DMA life cycle will be completed in all areas, as well as for CIT in Caucasus and in the southern part of CA. CIT and LMI mating and egg-laying will continue in Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation.

Regional monthly bulletins on locusts

General situation from November 2023 till end of January 2024 Forecast until mid-March 2024
Natural cycles of the three main locust species in the Caucasus and Central Asian (CCA) region – Moroccan Locust (DMA), Italian Locust (CIT) and Asian Migratory Locust (LMI) – ended in late summer/early autumn. The locust eggs laid in the soil will remain in embryonic diapause until hatching in the...
General situation during August 2023 Forecast for September 2023
While the locust campaign is approaching the end, the situation was still classified as caution for Moroccan (DMA), Italian (CIT) and Asian Migratory Locusts (LMI) in the Russian Federation, for LMI in Kazakhstan and CIT in Kyrgyzstan. It was calm in other countries and for...
General Situation during July 2023 Forecast for August 2023
Moroccan Locust (DMA) natural cycle completed in all Caucasus and Central Asian (CCA) countries while mating and egg-laying continued in the Russian Federation. The Italian Locust (CIT) and the Asian Migratory Locust (LMI) started mating and egg-laying in CCA. The situation with DMA was considered dangerous only...
General Situation during June 2023 Forecast for July 2023
Moroccan Locust (DMA) lifecycle came to an end in most parts of Central Asia (CA); fledging, mating and egg-laying continued in some parts as well as in Caucasus. Due to increased number of DMA populations and large spread of adults in the south of the Russian Federation, the situation there...
General Situation during May 2023 Forecast for June 2023
Moroccan Locust (DMA) fledging, mating and egglaying started in most areas of Central Asia (CA), with swarm flights, including across borders, reported in southern parts. The situation was critical in Afghanistan and Tajikistan in...