Locust Watch
Locusts in Caucasus and Central Asia

No. 89 June, 2023

Published: 20/06/2023

Moroccan Locust (DMA) fledging, mating and egglaying started in most areas of Central Asia (CA), with swarm flights, including across borders, reported in southern parts. The situation was critical in Afghanistan and Tajikistan in early May, while it was classified as caution by the end of month for both countries. DMA hopper development continued in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russian Federation. Italian Locust (CIT) hatching started followed by hopper development in most Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA) countries. Migratory Locust (LMI) hatching was reported in Kazakhstan, Russian Federation and Uzbekistan. During the forecast period, DMA breeding will continue, and its lifecycle will come to an end while CIT hopper development will continue in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Russian Federation and northern regions of Kazakhstan. CIT fledging will occur in other regions of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. LMI hopper development will continue in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russian Federation and Uzbekistan. In total, 777  998  hectares (ha) have been treated in CCA from the beginning of the 2023 campaign to the end of May, which is 45 percent higher compared to the same period in 2022 (427 379 ha).