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 March 2014 Forecast until mid-May 2014
Due to lower than usual temperatures, locust hatching in Caucasus and Central Asia is delayed and expected at later dates than usual. Only in Afghanistan the hatching of Moroccan Locust (DMA) has already started in late March, immediately followed by the first hopper treatments. In Tajikistan, DMA...
General Situation during September 2013 Forecast until March 2014
The locust situation was calm in Caucasian and Central Asian (CCA) countries as remaining adults progressively disappeared with the exception of Armenia, where Italian Locust (CIT) mating was still observed. No control operations were carried out and no further locust development is expected this year.
General Situation during August 2013 Forecast until mid-October 2013
The locust situation was generally calm in Caucasian and Central Asian (CCA) countries as a result of the intense and large-scale control operations previously carried out mainly up until the end of July and of the progressive disappearance of the remaining locust populations.
General Situation during July 2013 Forecast until mid-September 2013
The situation improved in July as a result of intense and large-scale control operations. In addition, with fledging of the three locust pests, the 2013 locust campaign came to an end in most Caucasian and Central Asian (CCA) countries. However, the situation remained serious in the Russian...
General Situation during June 2013 Forecast until mid-August 2013
The situation deteriorated during May in all Caucasian and Central Asian countries where mass hatching  of Italian (CIT) and Asian Migratory locusts (LMI) occurred, resulting in an increase or extension of the hopper infestations already present. Control operations were carried out on more than 1,2 million hectares (ha),...