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

General situation during March 2024

Forecast for April 2024 

Mass hatching of the Moroccan Locust (DMA) started in the three southern Central Asia (CA) countries in March mainly, during the second decade in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and the third decade in Afghanistan. No hatching was reported elsewhere. During the forecast period, DMA hopper development will continue in the above mentioned countries while hatching will begin in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, the Russian Federation, as well as in Azerbaijan and Georgia. Italian Locust (CIT) hatching may start in the southern CA countries at the end of the forecast period. Asian Migratory Locust (LMI) hatching is not expected in April. In March, 8616 hectares (ha) were treated against DMA in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, which is three times lower compared to last year (25 720 ha in 2023).

Regional monthly bulletins on locusts

General situation from November 2021 to February 2022 Forecast until late March 2022
Natural cycles of the three locust species – Italian Locust (CIT), Migratory Locust (LMI) and Moroccan Locust (DMA) ended in late summer/early autumn in all countries with eggs laid in the soil, where they overwinter (embryonic diapause).  During the forecast period, DMA hatching may occur in northern Afghanistan and southern...
General Situation during August 2021 Forecast for September 2021
Italian (CIT) and Asian Migratory (LMI) Locusts finished mating and egg-laying in most countries and started to die-off. The situation in August became calm for all species in most countries. A cautious situation with CIT still remains in Georgia. During the forecast period, CIT and LMI natural life cycles will...
General Situation during July 2021 Forecast for August 2021
Moroccan Locust (DMA) natural cycle completed in all Caucasus and Central Asian (CCA) countries, while mating and egg-laying continued in Russian Federation. Italian (CIT) and Asian Migratory Locust (LMI) started mating and egg-laying in...
General Situation during June 2021 Forecast for July 2021
Moroccan Locust (DMA) fledging, mating and egglaying continued in Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA) except for the southern regions of Central Asia (CA) where its lifecycle came to an end. Italian Locust (CIT)...
General Situation during May 2021 Forecast for June 2021
Moroccan Locust (DMA) fledging, mating and egglaying started in southern parts of Central Asia, where also swarm flights were reported, especially in areas near state borders. DMA hopper development continued in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russian Federation; in Georgia fledging already started by the end of May. Italian Locust (CIT)...