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

General situation during May 2024, Forecast for June 2024 

Moroccan Locust (DMA) fledging and mating started in all Central Asia (CA) as well as egg-laying mainly in the southern parts. DMA hopper development continued in Azerbaijan, Georgia and the Russian Federation. The DMA situation was classified as cautious in most countries where it is present, but as dangerous in Kyrgyzstan due to outbreaks in some southern districts. Around mid-May, swarm flights, including across borders, were reported by Afghanistan and Tajikistan, where additional control operations were carried out. Italian Locust (CIT) hatching started and hopper development continued in most Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA) countries. Migratory Locust (LMI) hatching was reported in Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation. During the forecast period, the DMA lifecycle will come to an end in CA, but mating and egg-laying will happen in Caucasus and the Russian Federation. CIT hopper development will continue in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, the Russian Federation and northern regions of Kazakhstan. CIT fledging will occur in other regions of Kazakhstan, and also in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. LMI hopper development will continue in Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation. In total, 1 049 172 hectares (ha) have been treated in CCA from the beginning of the 2024 campaign until the end of May, which is 35 percent higher compared to the same period in 2023 (778 220 ha). 

Regional monthly bulletins on locusts

General Situation during July 2017 and Forecast until mid-September 2017
Hot and dry weather conditions prevailed throughout the region. Moroccan Locust (DMA) life cycle came to an end in southern Central Asian (CA) countries and probably also in Azerbaijan while breeding was in progress in Kazakhstan and Russia. Italian Locust (CIT) fledging started in Russia and occurred in Armenia while...
General Situation during June 2017 and Forecast until mid-August 2017
Weather conditions were globally suitable for locust development throughout the region. As a result, DMA breeding was in progress in all Central Asian (CA) countries and probably also in Azerbaijan and Georgia. At the beginning of the forecast period, natural disappearance of this locust pest will progressively start from southern...
General Situation during May 2017 and Forecast until mid-July 2017
Weather conditions, which were unsuitable for locusts in early spring, continued to locally delay or hamper their development but recent warming up of temperatures boosted Moroccan Locust (DMA) adult appearance. As a result, DMA fledging started in probably all Central Asian (CA) countries as well as in Azerbaijan and egg-laying...
General Situation during April 2017 and Forecast until mid-June 2017
Due to poor weather conditions for locusts, hatching of the three locust pests was delayed everywhere as compared to 2016 and therefore the situation is still relatively calm. Nevertheless, Moroccan Locust (DMA) hopper development was in progress in Azerbaijan and in all Central Asian (CA) countries. During the forecast period, DMA...
General Situation during March 2017 and Forecast until mid-May 2017
Moroccan Locust (DMA) hatching is starting slowly in southern Central Asian countries, namely Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, as a consequence of prolonged cool temperatures and rains. During the forecast period, DMA hatching followed by hopper development will generalize in that four countries while hatching will start in Kazakhstan and Russia...