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 April 2014 Forecast until mid-June 2014
Due to slightly delayed locust hatching in Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA), in addition to Afghanistan, only three other countries started control operations. Hence, a total of 135 000 ha were treated in April against Moroccan Locust (DMA) hopper bands in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. DMA hopper development will...
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...