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 2020 Forecast for August 2020
Moroccan Locust (DMA) completed its natural cycle in all countries. Italian and Asian Migratory Locusts (CIT and LMI) were mating and egg-laying in most countries. Generally, the situation became calm. Control campaigns were winding down, except for Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation and Uzbekistan where treatments continued against CIT and LMI,...
General situation during June 2020 Forecast for July 2020
Favored by hot and dry weather, Moroccan Locust (DMA) hopper development accelerated in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russian Federation and mating and egg-laying took place in the second half of the month. DMA mating and egg-laying gradually subsided by the end of June in most Central Asia (CA) countries. In some CA...
General situation during May 2020 Forecast for June 2020
Moroccan Locust (DMA) hopper development continued in Azerbaijan and Georgia and finished in most Central Asia (CA) countries followed by fledging, mating and egg-laying. In many countries, particularly in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, anti-locust campaign was seriously hampered by COVID-19, and some DMA infestations were not treated in time. As a...
General Situation during April 2020 Forecast for May 2020
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 Uzbekistan. During the forecast period, DMA hatching will start in Russian Federation and fledging and mating will occur in the...
General Situation during March 2020 Forecast for April 2020
Moroccan Locust (DMA) hatching started significantly earlier than last year in Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan (and probably Turkmenistan), as a result of a warm weather with close to or below the normal rainfall in late winter - early spring. Overall, warmer and drier conditions ensured good overwintering of eggs. If...