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 July 2021 Forecast for August 2021
Moroccan Locust (DMA) natural cycle completed in all Caucasus and Central Asian (CCA) countries, while mating and egg-laying continued in Russian Federation. Italian (CIT) and Asian Migratory Locust (LMI) started mating and egg-laying in...
General Situation during June 2021 Forecast for July 2021
Moroccan Locust (DMA) fledging, mating and egglaying continued in Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA) except for the southern regions of Central Asia (CA) where its lifecycle came to an end. Italian Locust (CIT)...
General Situation during May 2021 Forecast for June 2021
Moroccan Locust (DMA) fledging, mating and egglaying started in southern parts of Central Asia, where also swarm flights were reported, especially in areas near state borders. DMA hopper development continued in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russian Federation; in Georgia fledging already started by the end of May. Italian Locust (CIT)...
General Situation during April 2021 Forecast for May 2021
Moroccan Locust (DMA) hopper development was in progress in Central Asia (CA) and in Azerbaijan. In Uzbekistan, dense hopper bands formed in the south. Italian Locust (CIT) hatching started in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. During the forecast period, DMA hatching will start in Georgia, Armenia and the Russian Federation...
General Situation during February and March 2021 Forecast for April 2021
Moroccan Locust (DMA) hatching started significantly earlier than last year in Tajikistan, as a result of a warm weather and close to the normal rainfall in February. In Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, DMA hatching was recorded during the second and third decades of March. During the forecast period,...