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 June 2012 Forecast until mid-August 2012
The locust situation improved in June in southern Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA), where control operations were almost completed but deteriorated in the north, in particular in Kazakhstan and in the Russian Federation, where more than 3 million ha were treated during the month. Hopper development of the three locust...
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...