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 May 2012, Forecast until mid-July 2012
As anticipated, the locust situation deteriorated in May in Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA), where more than 716,000 ha were treated (6 times more as compared to April). Hopper development was on progress or completed in all countries. Moroccan Locust (DMA) adults formed mobile groups and swarms...
General Situation during May 2012, Forecast until mid-June 2012
The locust situation was generally calm in April in Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA) countries, except in Afghanistan. Hatching and hopper development started in most countries as weather conditions were progressively becoming suitable from southern to northern CCA. Control operations were carried out in Afghanistan, Tajikistan and...
General Situation during March 2012, Forecast until mid-May 2012
The locust situation was calm in March in all Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA) countries where the weather conditions were still cool and unsuitable for hatching. Consequently, no hatching has been reported so far. It should start during the first half of April in southern Central Asian...
General Situation during July 2011, Forecast until mid-September 2011
During July, breeding of the Moroccan Locust (DMA) was in progress in all Caucasian and Central Asian (CCA) -except in Armenia where DMA is not a pest- and the species started disappearing upon completion of its life cycle. Italian (CIT) and Migratory (LMI) locusts fledged and breeding started in most...
General Situation during June 2011, Forecast until mid-August 2011
During June, fledging of the Moroccan Locust (DMA) occurred or started in all Caucasian and Central Asian (CCA) -except in Armenia where DMA is not a pest- and its life cycle should be completed in Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. No further development is expected this year but egglaying should be...