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 August 2020 Forecast for September 2020
Italian and Asian Migratory Locusts (CIT and LMI) finished mating and egg-laying and started to die-off in most countries and generally, the situation was calm. In five countries – Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – anti-locust treatments had finished in July. In the other five countries, campaign continued. About...
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...