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

General situation during June 2024, Forecast for July 2024 

Moroccan Locust (DMA) lifecycle was close to its end in most parts of Central Asia (CA); mating and egglaying continued in some parts as well as in the Caucasus. Italian Locust (CIT) fledging and mating started in CA while hopper development continued in Caucasus and the Russian Federation. Migratory Locust (LMI) hatching and hopper development continued in Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation. In the forecast period, DMA die-off will be completed everywhere while CIT hopper development will continue in the Caucasus, the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan. LMI hatching is expected in northern Kazakhstan and hopper development followed by fledging will continue in its other regions and in the Russian Federation. The total treated area against all locust species reached 2 970 313 hectares (ha) in Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA) since the start of the campaign, which is about 43% higher as compared to 2023 (2 077 205 ha at the same period). This is due to an increase of infestations that occurred mainly in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and the Russian Federation. In the other countries, infestations deviated only slightly from last year's levels, except for Georgia where they decreased by 58%. 

Regional monthly bulletins on locusts

General Situation during August 2017 and Forecast until mid-October 2017
Warm temperatures prevailed everywhere although the weather was variable and rains fell locally in Central Asia; conditions were globally suitable for locust breeding. Moroccan Locust (DMA) breeding continued in Kazakhstan and Russia while its life cycle was completed in Azerbaijan (and already last month in the other countries). Italian Locust...
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...