A few very small swarms form in southeast Algeria

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.