The Desert Locust situation requires careful monitoring in the Horn of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and in southwest Asia.

Small hopper bands have formed in coastal and interior areas of southeastern Iran from breeding that occurred earlier in the spring. Any infestations that are not controlled could form small adult groups and perhaps a few small swarms. As vegetation dries out in the region, the adults are expected to move towards the summer breeding areas along both sides of the Indo-Pakistan border in May. The adults will lay eggs when the seasonal monsoon rains reach this area which is usually in June.

In the Arabian Peninsula, hatching occurred on a few farms on the northern edge of the Empty Quarter in Saudi Arabia. Although the small hopper bands that formed were treated, there is a moderate risk of more hatching and band formation occurring in other farms in the area.

In the Horn of Africa, several swarms persist in southern Ethiopia but the situation remains unclear due to the difficult and remote terrain. Most of these swarms are expected to move north to the Ogaden region in eastern Ethiopia and lay eggs in areas where seasonal rains have recently commenced. There is a moderate risk that some swarms could remain in the south and lay eggs. All efforts should be made to undertake regular surveys and carry out any control that is necessary.

Elsewhere, limited ground control operations were carried out against local infestations that developed from small-scale breeding in northern Sudan, central Algeria and northwestern Mauritania. Residual populations are expected to move south into the northern Sahel and breed when the summer rains begin in about June.

Swarms persist in Ethiopia and breeding is in progress in Iran

The Desert Locust situation continues to remain serious in the Horn of Africa and near the Persian Gulf.

Immature swarms are present in southern Ethiopia near the Rift Valley and Konso. Swarms were also reported further north in the West Harerghe zone of the Harar Highlands last month. The situation is not very clear because survey and control operations are hampered by the rugged and remote terrain. Nevertheless, swarms are likely to move to the Ogaden in eastern Ethiopia this month. If rains fall, they will lay eggs that will hatch and cause hopper bands to form. Given the lack of detailed information from the field, it is not possible to indicate precisely the timing and scale of the movement or subsequent breeding. There is a risk that a few swarms could move into northwest Somalia. Therefore, Ethiopia and Somalia should be on high alert and take the necessary steps to increase surveys and undertake control operations as necessary.

Substantial aerial and ground control operations were carried out last month in eastern Saudi Arabia against swarms that arrived from Oman on several farms along the northern edge of the Empty Quarter. It is believed that some of the adults laid eggs which should be hatching in the coming days and hopper bands could form on some farms. Intensive surveys are recommended to monitor the situation carefully and control operations should be carried out when necessary.

Some of the swarms from Oman reached coastal and interior areas of southeast Iran and laid eggs. The eggs have already started hatching and hoppers are forming groups and small bands. More hatching is expected in the coming weeks. Intensive surveys should be maintained and control undertaken. A 30-day joint Iran/Pakistan commenced yesterday to check all the spring breeding areas on both sides of the common border in the Baluchistan region of Pakistan and Iran. The results of the survey will be used for planning locust operations during the summer along both sides of the Indo-Pakistan border.

Swarms persist in Ethiopia and breeding is in progress in Iran

A few small immature swarms from southern and central Oman moved during the second half of February north to the Jabal Akhdar mountains in Dhahira and Dakhiliya regions. Other swarms moved to eastern Yemen and then crossed the Empty Quarter to farms in eastern Saudi Arabia and southern UAE. Most of the swarms continued to the Musandam Peninsula, passing over Abu Dhabi and Dubai. At least one swarm crossed the Strait of Hormoz on 20 February to the southern coast of Iran where it settled near Minab and laid eggs. Control operations were carried out in Oman, Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Remnants of the swarms in Oman and Saudi Arabia could lay eggs in or near agricultural areas. Eggs that have already been laid in Iran will hatch in about a week and small hopper bands are likely to form. Control operations should be carried out to prevent new swarms from forming later in the spring.

All countries in the Region should remain alert and take the necessary steps to monitor the situation carefully and undertake control operations as needed.

In the Horn of Africa, small immature Desert Locust swarms are still present in southern Ethiopia. Survey and control operations are hampered by the mountainous and rugged terrain. Most of the swarms are expected to move to the Ogaden region in eastern Ethiopia and lay eggs when the long rains start later this month or in April. A few swarms could also move to northern Somalia and perhaps to the southern coast of the Red Sea in Eritrea.

In Sudan, locust populations continue to decline on the Red Sea coast in the Tokar Delta.

Swarms moved from southern and central Oman through Yemen, Saudi Arabia and UAE to southern Iran in late February

A few small immature swarms from southern and central Oman have moved north to the Jabal Akhdar mountains in Dhahira and Dakhiliya regions. Some locusts may have crossed the mountains and reached the Batinah coast near Rustaq, Oman. On the 19th, groups of adults were seen in the UAE in Abu Dhabi and on the Musandam Peninsula. On the 20th, locusts were reported in Dubai and a small swarm crossed the Strait of Hormuz to the southern coast of Iran near Minab where it was said to be laying eggs. Control operations were carried out in Iran.

A few more swarms could form and move to northern Oman and cross to southeast Iran. The swarms are expected to mature quickly and lay eggs in areas of recent rainfall and green vegetation along the coast. Some swarms could reach Chabahar and Iranshahr, Iran and the Baluchistan coast of Pakistan near Gwadar and Pasni.

All countries in the Region should remain alert and take the necessary steps to monitor the situation carefully and undertake control operations as needed.

In the Horn of Africa, at least one small immature Desert Locust swarm has recently been reported in southern Ethiopia near Konso. Control operations could only treat part of the swarm due to the mountainous and rugged terrain. Similar swarms are probably present in other parts of the Harar Highlands along the eastern side of the Rift Valley and perhaps on the western edge of the Ogaden. There remains a risk that the swarms could move several different directions: (1) south to northern Kenya, (2) west towards SNNPR region, (3) north to Djibouti and cross Bab el Mandeb to Yemen, (4) northwest into the Danakil Depression and to the southern coast of Eritrea, (5) northeast across the Somali plateau to the Gulf of Aden coast in northern Somalia, or (6) reinvade the Ogaden in eastern Ethiopia. In any case, swarms in the Horn of Africa will mature and lay eggs with the onset of the long rains (about March).

In Sudan, control operations are declining on the Red Sea coast in the Tokar Delta where mainly scattered fledglings and adults are present. No locusts were seen in mid-February on the coast of Eritrea.

Swarms may threaten several countries in the region

New reports indicate that a few locust swarms are present in Oman and Yemen. In southern Oman, an immature swarm was reported on 11 February in the Dhofar hills near Salalah. On the 13th, there was an unconfirmed report of a large immature swarm in northern Oman on the southern side of Jebel Akhdar near Al Hamra. Ground control operations were in progress earlier in the month in the central interior against late instar hopper bands and immature adults from local breeding that occurred near the Marmul oil fields and the coast. There is an increasing risk that a few swarms could reach the Batinah coastal plains in northern Oman and perhaps cross the Gulf to the Baluchistan coast in southeastern Iran and western Pakistan.

In eastern Yemen, two immature swarms were seen in the Al-Mahra region near the border of Oman between Hat and Shehen of 14 February. There is a high risk that a few swarms could move back and forth along the Yemen / Oman border.

In Ethiopia, immature locust swarms up to about 5 square km in size continue to be reported east of the Rift Valley in the highlands of Oromiya region, mainly in Borena, Arsi and Bale zones, and in southern Somali region in the past few days. Survey and control operations are difficult because of the mountainous terrain and because the swarms are highly mobile. Consequently, there remains a risk that the swarms could move several different directions: (1) south to northern Kenya, (2) west towards SNNPR region, (3) north to Djibouti and cross Bab el Mandeb to Yemen, (4) northwest into the Danakil Depression and to the southern coast of Eritrea, (5) northeast across the Somali plateau to the Gulf of Aden coast in northern Somalia, or (6) reinvade the Ogaden in eastern Ethiopia. In any case, swarms in the Horn of Africa will mature and lay eggs with the onset of the long rains (about March).

The above-mentioned countries should remain on high alert and take the necessary steps to monitoring the situation carefully and undertake control operations as necessary to reduce the threat to crops and livelihoods.

Swarms may threaten several countries in the region

Immature swarms are still present in the Rift Valley and Harar Highlands of Ethiopia. Aerial and ground control operations are in progress by national teams and the Desert Locust Control Organization for Eastern Africa (DLCO-EA). There is a risk that the swarms could move several different directions: (1) down the Rift Valley to the Turkana District in northwest Kenya, (2) north along the railway to Djibouti and cross Bab el Mandeb to Yemen, (3) northwest into the Danakil Depression and to the southern coast of Eritrea, (4) across the Somali plateau to the Gulf of Aden coast in northern Somalia, or (5) reinvade the Ogaden in eastern Ethiopia. In any case, swarms in the Horn of Africa will mature and lay eggs with the onset of the long rains (about March).

Control operations also continue against hopper bands and new adults on the Red Sea coast of Sudan in the Tokar Delta and on the nearby plains to the south. There is a chance that adults could form a few groups or a small swarm that may cross the Red Sea to Saudi Arabia.

In central Oman, control operations have treated late instar hopper bands and immature adults from local breeding that occurred near the Marmul oil fields and the coast. Any escaping locusts are expected to move towards the northern interior and coast, and there is a low risk that some adult groups could cross the Gulf of Oman and reach the coastal plains near the Iran and Pakistan border. There, good rains fell in January and spring breeding is expected to commence shortly.

The above-mentioned countries should remain on high alert and take the necessary steps to monitoring the situation carefully and undertake control operations as necessary to reduce the threat to crops and livelihoods.

Swarms in Ethiopia may threaten several countries in the region

Immature swarms of Desert Locust have recently appeared in the Harar Highlands south of Dire Dawa. These swarms are probably from earlier breeding that occurred in the Ogaden in eastern Ethiopia. Aerial control operations are in progress but the mountainous terrain is hampering the ability to find and treat all of the infestations. Most of the swarms are expected to move within the Rift Valley and mature. Egg-laying will occur if the swarms find suitable ecological conditions. There is a low to moderate risk that a few swarms could move further north to the escarpment and coastal areas in northwest Somalia during periods of southwesterly winds. So far, only scattered solitarious adults are present in northwest Somalia but surveys are continuing.

Immature swarms were also present about 600 km to the southwest in the Konso area and Omo Valley of southwest Ethiopia within 50 km of the border of Kenya. Some of the swarms were said to be extremely dense. Aerial control operations treated most of the infestations but some swarms may have escaped. If so, there is a moderate to high risk that these swarms could move into the Turkana region in northwest Kenya or perhaps into western Ethiopia where they could mature and lay eggs.

Intensive survey and control efforts should continue in order to minimize the threat to agriculture and livelihoods in the region.

Swarms will persist in the Rift Valley in central Ethiopia and perhaps move to NW Kenya and NW Somalia

As a result of control operations and a lack of rains, recent reports suggest that the Desert Locust situation may be improving in Ethiopia and Kenya. Vegetation has dried out in most areas because no significant rains have fallen since early December, and locust infestations are declining.

Ground and aerial control operations have been carried out against hopper band and swarm infestations in northeast Kenya (Mandera and Moyale districts) and in southeast Ethiopia (Moyale and north of the Dawa River). Currently, few infestations are thought to remain in these areas. Operations are currently in progress in the Gore region in eastern Ethiopia against immature swarms that are present in irrigated crops along the Shebele River. These operations should finish in a few days.

Although the situation appears to be improving, all countries in the Region should remain on high alert because there remains a high risk that some swarms may still be present and could move south to Kenya and perhaps west to Uganda or western Ethiopia.

On 7 January, several swarms were reported to have invaded south and southwest Ethiopia where at least 10 districts may be affected. Swarms were said to have reached as far west as the Rift Valley in the south Omo area. Teams are being dispatched to confirm the situation.

Unless further rains fall, the swarms will not mature quickly nor will they be able to lay eggs.

Immature locust swarm near Kebri Dehar, eastern Ethiopia, 31/12/07.

Recent reports indicate that new immature swarms continue to form in the Ogaden in eastern Ethiopia. During the last week of December, several of these swarms moved south to northeastern Kenya where they were seen near Mandera. Most of the swarms were less than 10 square km in size and were too mobile to treat. Current control operations are focused on eastern Ethiopia to reduce the number of swarms and their movement to northern Kenya. However operations are restricted due to insecurity in some areas. The locust situation in adjacent areas of southern Somalia is not known.

New swarms will continue to form in eastern Ethiopia and along the border with Kenya. Swarms are expected to move southwest to the Oromiya region and towards the Rift Valley in southwest Ethiopia while other swarms are likely to continue to northeast, central and northwest Kenya where they could mature and eventually lay eggs. There is a moderate risk that a few swarms could reach Uganda and a slight risk of swarms reaching northern Tanzania.

All efforts are required to monitor and report the situation, and measures should be taken to control the current infestations.

In Sudan, hatching and hopper band formation is in progress in the Tokar Delta on the Red Sea coast where several swarms arrived and laid eggs last month. Aerial and ground control operations are in progress. Breeding will continue during January in Tokar and is likely to extend south along the coast to northern Eritrea.

Scattered locust adults are present in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, northern Somalia, Oman, Iran, Mauritania and Algeria. Small-scale breeding is underway in central Oman, southeastern Iran, southern Algeria, and western Mauritania. National survey and control teams are active in all of these areas.

New swarms will form and move south and southwest in Ethiopia and Kenya during the next few weeks