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 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...
General Situation during May 2011, Forecast until mid-July 2011
The situation further deteriorated in Central Asian countries after hatching of the Italian and Migratory locusts. In Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and probably Afghanistan and Turkmenistan, Moroccan Locust (DMA) fledging occurred while hopper development continued in Kyrgyzstan. Italian Locust (CIT) hopper bands formed in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Russia and...
General Situation during April 2011, Forecast until mid-June 2011
The locust situation started deteriorating from early April in southern Central Asian countries while it remained calm in Caucasian ones. In Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and probably Turkmenistan, Moroccan Locust (DMA) hopper development was in progress and more than 607,000 ha were treated up to mid-May. Natural vegetation was...
General Situation during March 2011, Forecast until mid-November 2011
The locust situation was calm in March in almost all CCA countries where weather conditions were not yet suitable for hatching. In Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and probably Turkmenistan, Moroccan Locust (DMA) hoppers appeared from mid-March onwards. No control operations were carried out during the month. Natural vegetation is growing...
General Situation during September 2010, Forecast until mid-November 2010
The locust situation was calm in September in all CCA countries for the second consecutive month due to the completion of the life cycles of the three main locust pests. No control operations were carried out, except in Armenia in early September. In the countries where...