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 July 2023 Forecast for August 2023
Moroccan Locust (DMA) natural cycle completed in all Caucasus and Central Asian (CCA) countries while mating and egg-laying continued in the Russian Federation. The Italian Locust (CIT) and the Asian Migratory Locust (LMI) started mating and egg-laying in CCA. The situation with DMA was considered dangerous only...
General Situation during June 2023 Forecast for July 2023
Moroccan Locust (DMA) lifecycle came to an end in most parts of Central Asia (CA); fledging, mating and egg-laying continued in some parts as well as in Caucasus. Due to increased number of DMA populations and large spread of adults in the south of the Russian Federation, the situation there...
General Situation during May 2023 Forecast for June 2023
Moroccan Locust (DMA) fledging, mating and egglaying started in most areas of Central Asia (CA), with swarm flights, including across borders, reported in southern parts. The situation was critical in Afghanistan and Tajikistan in...
General Situation during April 2023 Forecast for May 2023
Moroccan Locust (DMA) hatching and hopper development was in progress in all Central Asian (CA) countries as well as in Azerbaijan and in Georgia. Critical situation in several north and north-east provinces of Afghanistan and south of Tajikistan was reported. Italian Locust (CIT) hatching had been recorded only in southern...
General situation during March 2023 Forecast for April 2023
Moroccan Locust (DMA) hatching started in Tajikistan earlier than in other countries, in the beginning of March. First DMA hatching in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan was recorded during the second decade of March...