During the second week of May, a few very small immature swarms started to form on the southern and northern sides of the Tassili-Ajjer Mountains in southeast Algeria. The swarms, varying in size from 60 to 200 ha, were seen at four places in the Bordj El Haoues area west of Djanet and at one location near Illizi. Some of the swarms were seen flying in a general northeast to southwest direction. Hopper groups and bands as well as groups of immature adults are also present in both areas and in a few wadis in the Tassili. In adjacent areas of southwest Libya, hopper bands and groups of immature adults are present north of Ghat. No further egg laying or hatching was reported in either country.

Ground control operations continue in both countries. National teams treated 12,161 ha in Algeria (10-17 May) and 3,210 ha in Libya (6-16 May). In Algeria, seven survey teams and 17 control teams are operating in the infested areas.

Although conditions are drying out in many places, there is probably still a sufficient amount of green vegetation in low-lying areas to allow locust adults to remain in the general area for at least the next few weeks.

Nevertheless, Mali and Niger should be on high alert as there is a strong possibility of some swarms moving south into the northern Sahel of both countries, especially if pre-seasonal rains fall before the summer. Light rain may have already fallen in some of these areas at mid-month.

The situation is potentially very dangerous because swarms could eventually invade the northern Sahel of West Africa at the beginning of the rainy season when farmers are planting. Therefore, all efforts are required to monitor the situation now and undertake the necessary control operations to reduce current population levels.

Swarms are forming in southeast Algeria and expected to move in May and June.

Mainly late instar Desert Locust hopper bands are currently present along both sides of the border in southwest Libya and southeast Algeria where an outbreak developed earlier this year. At the end of last week, hoppers started to fledge into winged immature adults. The fledglings and immature adults are forming groups at densities up to 800 locusts/m2, mainly in southeast Algeria and to a lesser extent in southwest Libya. Immature swarms are expected to start forming in the coming days and an increasing number of swarms are likely to be reported as the month progresses. The swarms are likely to remain in the area as long as ecological conditions remain favorable.

Egg-laying, hatching and the formation of early instar hopper groups are still in progress in the northern part of the outbreak area near Illizi, Algeria and on the southern edge of the Al Hamada Al Hamra plateau in northwest Libya. As mentioned earlier, late instar hopper bands are present in Libya northwest of Ghat and in southeast Algeria to the north and south of the Tassili-Ajjer Mountains west of Djanet and north of Illizi.

Ground control operations are in progress in both countries. National teams treated nearly 15,600 ha in Algeria (26 April - 9 May) and 3,000 ha in Libya (26 April - 3 May). Insecurity and remoteness continue to limit survey and control operations.

The situation is potentially very dangerous because swarms could eventually invade the northern Sahel of West Africa at the beginning of the rainy season when farmers are planting. Therefore, all efforts are required to monitor the situation now and undertake the necessary control operations to reduce current population levels.

Fledglings are forming groups of immature adults in Libya and Algeria.

The Desert Locust situation continues to remain extremely serious along both sides of the border in southwest Libya and southeast Algeria. Small but dense hopper bands are forming in Libya northwest of Ghat and in Algeria on both sides of the Tassili-Ajjer Mountains near Djanet and Illizi. Recently, hatching was seen north of Illizi and groups of adults were copulating north of the outbreak area in northwest Libya near Ghadames and the Al Hamada Al Hamra plateau. This confirms the earlier suspicion that infestations are more widespread than indicated by the ground survey results. National teams treated 3,360 ha in Algeria and 3,535 ha in Libya on 1-25 April.

Hatching is expected to continue to about mid-May north of Tassili in Algeria and will occur near Ghadames and the Al Hamada Al Hamra in northwest Libya. More hopper bands will form in both countries during May. Fledging should commence in early May and last for about one month during which an increasing number of immature groups and swarms are expected to form. By the end of May, adults could be ready to lay another generation of eggs that could hatch as early as the second week of June if conditions remain favourable. Adult groups and swarms are likely to remain in the current outbreak area during May but could start to move southwards in June.

The situation is potentially very dangerous because swarms could eventually invade the northern Sahel of West Africa at the beginning of the rainy season when farmers are planting. Therefore, all efforts are required to monitor the situation now and undertake the necessary control operations to reduce population levels.

Elsewhere, the situation remains calm. Scattered adults may move from central to northern Oman and breed on a small scale in areas of recent rainfall. Good rains fell in northern Mauritania and Western Sahara where small scale breeding could occur in May.

Hopper bands are forming in Libya and Algeria.

During the past two weeks, hatching and hopper bands continued to form in southwest Libya and adjacent areas of southeast Algeria. More hatching and band formation is expected during May near Illizi, Algeria. At present, most of the hoppers in Libya have reached the fifth and last stage while in Algeria they have reached the fourth instar stage. This means that fledging will commence next week and new immature swarms are likely to start forming by mid-May in both countries. As long as ecological conditions stay favourable, adults and swarms are likely to remain in the currently infested areas and perhaps move slightly north towards In Amenas, Algeria and Ghadames, Libya or east towards Sabha during periods of warm southerly winds.

The new generation of adults will mature during May and could start to lay eggs for a third generation of breeding by early June in those areas where soil is moist. In this case, hatching and hopper band formation will take place in June and a third generation of swarms could form during July. This would represent an extremely serious threat to the northern Sahel in Mali and Niger that would coincide with the summer rainy season and planting period.

The area that is potentially infested is much larger than indicated by current survey results because many areas cannot be accessed due to insecurity and remoteness. Analysis of high resolution satellite imagery suggests that current infestations in Algeria represent only about 15 percent of total infestations present between Djanet and Illizi. No locusts were seen during recent surveys in the Al Hamada Al Hamra in northwest Libya except at one location in the extreme south where mature adults were present. This may suggest that the extent of outbreak area in southwest Libya remains south of the Al Hamada Al Hamra.

So far this month, ground teams treated 3,360 ha in Algeria and 3,535 ha in Libya. FAO is providing technical assistance to Libya.

Hopper bands are forming in Libya and Algeria.

A second generation of hatching commenced in late March and early April in southwest Libya and southeast Algeria where a Desert Locust outbreak is in progress. This is expected to cause locust numbers to increase significantly on both sides of the common border and lead to a potentially dangerous situation in which swarms form and invade the northern Sahel of West Africa at the beginning of summer.

Currently, the hatchlings are forming many dense hopper groups and bands in both countries at densities of more than 5,000 hoppers/sq. metre. Some of the hoppers have reached the second instar stage in Libya while hoppers in Algeria are first instar. The infestations are present in areas where adults laid eggs in late February and throughout March, mainly northwest of Ghat (Libya), extending west to Wadi Tarat and Illizi in Algeria and on the southern side of the Tassili-Ajjer Mountains west of Djanet. New infestations have been found in previously unreported areas north of Ghat on the eastern side of Jebel Idinin. Groups of adults are still present and laying eggs in some areas.

Ground teams are monitoring the situation in both countries but there are large areas that are inaccessible due to remoteness and insecurity that may be infested. So far this month, control teams have treated 1,325 ha in Libya and 910 ha in Algeria. Additional teams are being deployed this week in both countries and FAO is providing assistance to Libya.

The hoppers are expected to start fledging from the second week of May onwards. Thereafter, small groups and swarms of immature adults are expected to form along both sides of the border. Therefore, all efforts are required to survey as many areas as possible and undertake the necessary control operations during April in order to reduce the threat of any eventual migration to the northern Sahel in Mali and Niger at the beginning of the summer.

Hatching will cause locust numbers to increase during April.

Ground survey and control operations are in progress in southwest Libya and southeast Algeria where groups of gregarizing Desert Locust adults have been laying eggs throughout March. Although hatching has not been reported yet, it is expected to occur in the coming days as temperatures warm up.

Once hatching commences, locust numbers will almost certainly increase dramatically in both countries, and numerous hopper groups and small bands are expected to form. By late May, hoppers will fledge and the immature adults are likely to form swarms.

Although national teams treated more than 3,600 ha in Libya and nearly 1,500 ha in Algeria during March, there are many areas where egg-laying may have occurred but cannot be accessed due to remoteness or insecurity.

Therefore, all efforts are required to survey as many areas as possible and undertake the necessary control operations before the end of May in order to reduce the threat of any eventual migration to the northern Sahel in Mali and Niger at the beginning of the summer.

Elsewhere, the Desert Locust situation is calm. Small-scale breeding may occur in southeastern Iran and western Pakistan if rains fall during April.

Current infestations may be present within a much larger area than reported in Libya and Algeria.

The current Desert Locust situation remains potentially threatening along both sides of the Libya-Algeria border. Although national teams are surveying and treating adult infestations in southwest Libya near Ghat and in southeast Algeria near Djanet, the situation is less well known in other areas due to insecurity and remoteness.

In Libya, medium to high density groups of mature gregarious adults have been copulating and laying eggs at nearly two dozen locations near the Algerian border north of Ghat throughout this month. Infested areas vary from less than 10 ha to almost 200 ha. So far this month, ground teams have treated nearly 3,000 ha.

In adjacent areas of southeast Algeria, groups of mature transiens adults are copulating and laying eggs at less than a dozen places about 200 km southwest of the Libyan infestations on the southern side of the Tassili N'Ajjer Mountains west of Djanet. Adult densities and the size of the infested areas are similar to those in Libya. Ground teams treated nearly 1,700 ha since 6 March.

As hatching commences in the coming weeks, locust numbers are expected to increase significantly in both countries. Small but numerous hopper bands are likely to form during April with new adults appearing in May.

All efforts are required to survey as many areas as possible and undertake the necessary control operations in order to reduce the threat of any potential migration to Mali and Niger at the beginning of the summer.

Current infestations may be present within a much larger area than reported in Libya and Algeria.

New reports indicate that groups of transiens and gregarious mature adults are laying eggs in southeast Algeria to the west of Djanet near Bordj El Haoues. Up to 6 adults were seen per sq. metre. Ecological conditions are extremely favourable for breeding. Ground teams treated 175 ha from 29 February to 5 March. The situation is calm in other parts of the country.

Similar to southwest Libya, hatching will occur by the end of March and continue into early April, followed by the formation of hopper bands.

The current situation is potentially threatening. As hatching occurs, there is a high risk that locust numbers will increase dramatically near Ghat and probably in adjacent areas of SE Algeria and W Libya where rains fell in mid-February and the locust situation is not well known. Current insecurity along both sides of the border is hampering field operations.

Consequently, all efforts are required to conduct surveys in areas of recent rain and run-off, and to undertake control operations as necessary.

Current infestations may be present within a much larger area than reported in Libya and Algeria.

During the last week of February, an increasing number of adults were seen copulating and ready to lay eggs in areas of recent rainfall within the current outbreak area in southwest Libya. Most of the adults were gregarious and had formed medium to high density groups. Although ground teams treated 835 ha from 20 to 29 February, it is likely that a second generation of breeding will occur with hatching during the second half of March and early April, followed by the formation of hopper bands.

The current situation is potentially threatening. As hatching occurs, there is a high risk that locust numbers will increase dramatically near Ghat and probably in adjacent areas of SE Algeria and W Libya where rains fell last month and the locust situation is not well known. Current insecurity along both sides of the border is hampering field operations.

Consequently, all efforts are required to conduct surveys in areas of recent rain and run-off, and to undertake control operations as necessary.

Current infestations may be present within a much larger area than reported in Libya and Algeria.

The small outbreak in SW Libya continues to develop near Ghat and the Algerian border. National teams are undertaking survey and control operations in Libya and Algeria. So far, ground teams have treated 1,530 ha in Libya and 190 ha in Algeria during February. While most of the infestations remain in a relatively small area northwest of Ghat, new infestations have been found east of Tarat on the Algerian/Libyan border, about 40 km north of earlier infestations. Mature transiens adults (700 adults/ha) were seen copulating and immature gregarious adults (2,000 adults/ha) were reported in the past few days. Medium to dense infestations of third to fifth instar hoppers were also present.

Good rains fell on 18-19 February over the infested areas, stretching from Tamanrasset, Algeria to Mizda, Libya. These rains will allow ecological conditions to remain favorable for breeding, which will cause locust numbers to increase further in the coming months. Hatching is expected to commence shortly that could lead to the formation of small hopper groups and bands. If more rains fall during the spring as temperatures increase, the situation could deteriorate further.

Consequently, there is a high risk that locust infestations may be currently present within a much larger area than reported. All efforts are required to conduct surveys in areas of recent rain and run-off, and to undertake control operations as necessary.

Current infestations may be present within a much larger area than reported in Libya and Algeria.

A small outbreak of Desert Locust has developed in southwest Libya near Ghat and the Algerian border. In early January, hoppers started to concentrate and form small patches in a few wadis, increasing in density to up to 400 hoppers per bush. By the end of the month, locust numbers had increased as well as the number of places infested with locusts. Most of the hoppers had fledged and the newly immature adults were forming groups. There were reports of a small medium density maturing swarm flying near the Algerian border on 4 and 6 February. Some of the adults had already matured and were seen copulating on the 6th at densities up to 500 adults/100m2.

At least two survey and control teams are in the area to monitor the situation and treat infestations with vehicle-mounted sprayers. Nearly 3,000 ha are estimated to be infested and, so far, teams have treated 1,030 ha during the first week of February.

Locust numbers are expected to increase further as hatching commences by the end of the month and hoppers form small groups and bands. There is a risk that adult groups and small swarms could move towards the north during periods of warm southerly winds and reach Ghadames and Al Hamada Al Hamra. The current infestations may extend across the border into eastern Algeria.

UPDATE. In southeast Algeria, an increasing number of solitary immature adults were seen near Illizi from 7 February onwards. Adults were also seen on the Libyan border. Trajectory models suggest that the adults are coming from the current infestations near Ghat, Libya. Algerian ground teams treated 190 ha so far. Additional teams will be deployed to the area.

All efforts are required to monitor the situation closely and undertake the necessary control operations to prevent the situation from deteriorating further and spreading.

Adults are likely to move NW from Ghat, Libya to Illizi, Algeria on 9-10 February.

A small outbreak of Desert Locust has developed in southwest Libya near Ghat and the Algerian border. In early January, hoppers started to concentrate and form small patches in a few wadis, increasing in density to up to 400 hoppers per bush. By the end of the month, locust numbers had increased as well as the number of places infested with locusts. Most of the hoppers had fledged and the newly immature adults were forming groups. There were reports of a small medium density maturing swarm flying near the Algerian border on 4 and 6 February. Some of the adults had already matured and were seen copulating on the 6th at densities up to 500 adults/100m2.

At least two survey and control teams are in the area to monitor the situation and treat infestations with vehicle-mounted sprayers. Nearly 3,000 ha are estimated to be infested and, so far, teams have treated 1,030 ha during the first week of February.

Locust numbers are expected to increase further as hatching commences by the end of the month and hoppers form small groups and bands. There is a risk that adult groups and small swarms could move towards the north during periods of warm southerly winds and reach Ghadames and Al Hamada Al Hamra. The current infestations may extend across the border into eastern Algeria.

All efforts are required to monitor the situation closely and undertake the necessary control operations to prevent the situation from deteriorating further and spreading.

A few small hopper bands and swarms form in SW Libya near Algeria.

During January, small-scale breeding occurred in southwest Libya and in adjacent areas of southeast Algeria. In Libya, hoppers were becoming gregarious and forming several small patches in three places northwest of Ghat. In Algeria, hopper and adult densities were increasing west of Djanet. Ground teams treated 85 ha in Algeria while in Libya all attempts were being made to organize survey and control operations. In Niger, small-scale breeding occurred in the eastern Air Mountains and on the western side of the Ténéré Desert where low numbers of hoppers and adults are currently present. Close monitoring is required in all three countries, especially if more rains fall that would allow further breeding, concentration and grouping.

In the winter breeding area along both sides of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, locust numbers continue to remain unusually low due to poor rains and dry vegetation. Only a few adults have been reported in the Tokar Delta and southern plains in Sudan, and near Qunfidah in Saudi Arabia. Further breeding is unlikely unless more rain falls.

In the spring breeding areas of SW Asia, only a few adults were seen on the coast in western Pakistan near Uthal. Vegetation is starting to become green in a few places on the coast in southeast Iran. More rain is required before breeding conditions become favourable.

No significant developments are likely during February.

Low numbers of locusts are present in a few countries.

The Desert Locust situation continues to remain calm. Very little rain fell during December in the winter breeding areas along both sides of the Red Sea. Consequently, only low numbers of locust adults were present on the coast south of Tokar Delta in Sudan, near Shelshela in Eritrea, near Qunfidah in Saudi Arabia, and near Suq Abs in Yemen. Small-scale breeding will occur in January if more rains fall in coastal areas and locust numbers will increase slightly but remain below threatening levels. Small-scale breeding may also occur in areas that received rainfall during October and November along the eastern coast of Oman between Salalah and Sur. Breeding is unlikely to occur along either side of the Gulf of Aden unless more rains fall on the coast of southern Yemen or in northwest Somalia.

In the Western Region, ecological conditions remained dry excepted for a few isolated patches of green vegetation in northwest Mauritania, northern Mali and southeast of the Hoggar Mountains in southern Algeria. Although locust numbers declined in northwest Mauritania last month, a few isolated adults are likely to persist there during January. In Niger, good rains fell in the Air Mountains where small-scale breeding was in progress and is likely to continue during January but locust numbers are expected to remain below threatening levels.

In South-West Asia, a few isolated adults were seen recently on the coast of western Pakistan near Pasni. Small-scale breeding is likely to commence if additional rains fall in coastal areas between the Strait of Hormuz in Iran to Karachi, Pakistan.

No significant developments are expected during January in the recession area.

Low numbers of locusts are present in a few countries.