Situation Update: Locust Crisis in Madagascar - 28 March 2014

The second generation of breeding of the rainy season, which started during the first half of January 2014, is coming to an end. Therefore, more and more winged populations are appearing, much more visible than hopper bands, that results in numerous reports.

The current infested area stretched from Soalala area (at 100 km south-west of Mahajanga) to the southern part of the Mahafaly Plateau (south of Toliara). In the outbreak area, late instar hopper bands as well as young adults and swarms are present along a coastal area of less than 100 km width.

In the invasion area, hopper bands and swarms are present in the Middle-West while young hopper bands are reported from the Soalala area.

It seems that the rainy season is slowly coming to an end, the wind pattern is changing and the coastal areas will progressively dry out. It is therefore expected that the new swarms of the second generation will be highly mobile and move towards the interior of Madagascar.