Locust Watch
Locusts in Caucasus and Central Asia
Moroccan Locust (DMA), Tajikistan 2008 ©FAO/A. Monard

General situation during July 2024, Forecast for August 2024 

Moroccan Locust (DMA) natural cycle completed in Azerbaijan and in all Central Asian (CA) countries while mating and egg-laying continued in Georgia and the Russian Federation. Italian Locust (CIT) started fledging and mating in Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA). Asian Migratory Locust (LMI) fledging and mating started in most parts of Kazakhstan and Russian Federation, while its hopper development continued in Kostanay region of Kazakhstan. The situation with DMA was considered caution in the North Caucasus Federal District of the Russian Federation and in Georgia. Similar caution was considered for CIT in Georgia and Kyrgyzstan, as well as for CIT and LMI in Kazakhstan. A threat situation was mentioned in the Russian Federation as the movements of swarms of these two species, which started in some parts, could further threaten the crops. The situation became calm for other species and elsewhere. Countries continued summer surveys of adults and egg-laying sites. Overall, 1  117 352 hectares (ha) were treated in July, for a total of 4 087 435 ha since the start of campaign in CCA, which is 58% higher than in 2023 at the same period (2  590 326 ha). In the forecasted period, DMA life cycle will be completed in all areas, as well as for CIT in Caucasus and in the southern part of CA. CIT and LMI mating and egg-laying will continue in Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation.

Regional monthly bulletins on locusts

General Situation during March 2015 Forecast until mid-May 2015
The locust situation remained calm in March throughout all countries of Caucasus and Central Asia due to cool weather conditions which delayed locust hatching. Therefore, no control operations were carried out so far. Moroccan Locust (DMA) hatching started in late March only in southern Uzbekistan and probably in the...
General Situation during September 2014 Forecast until spring 2015
In September, the locust situation was calm in all Caucasian and Central Asian (CCA) countries as adults were progressively disappearing. Italian Locust (CIT) mating and egg-laying were still observed in Armenia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. No control operations were carried out and no further locust development is...
General Situation during August 2014 Forecast until mid-October 2014
In August, the locust infestations declined in all countries as a result of the intense and large-scale control operations previously carried out mainly until the end of July and of the progressive disappearance of the remaining locust populations. Nevertheless, the situation was still worrying in Georgia and...
General Situation during July 2014 Forecast until mid-September 2014
In July, the situation related to the Italian (CIT) and the Asian Migratory (LMI) locusts was still worrying particularly in Georgia, Kazakhstan and Russia. These two locust pests were generally at the adult stage and breeding; gregarious populations were reported in Kazakhstan. Overall, control operations were carried out on almost...
General Situation during June 2014 Forecast until mid-August 2014
In June, the locust situation deteriorated further in Caucasus as well as in northern Central Asian countries. While the life cycle of Moroccan Locust (DMA) that survived previous control operations was coming to an end in most countries, successive and important waves of Italian Locust (CIT) hatching occurred. Asian Migratory...