FAO :: Locust Watch :: Archives :: Briefs :: 2000-2009 :: 2008
Desert Locust briefs 2008

31 December. Desert Locust situation under control in NW Mauritania

In early December, there was a sharp increase in locust activity in NW Mauritania. As vegetation began to dry out in the Zgueimir area east of Nouakchott, solitarious hoppers concentrated and increased in density (up to 20 locusts/sq. metre), fledged and formed small groups of adults. The infestations, which originated from local breeding during the autumn, were confined to a relatively small area that was difficult to access because of sand dunes.

In order to prevent further grouping and the possibility of swarm formation, ground teams treated 14,000 ha of the infestations and, by the end of December, the situation calmed down. As a further precaution, surveys have been increased in Western Sahara and Morocco, especially in those areas that received unusually heavy rains in September, but no locusts have been found so far. Nevertheless, some of the adults that were not controlled have moved north in the past week to Inchiri and Tiris Zemmour regions in Mauritania.

There is a low risk that small-scale breeding will occur in NW Mauritania and perhaps in adjacent areas of N Mauritania and Western Sahara in January, especially if more rains fall and temperatures remain warm.

Elsewhere, a few locusts are present in the winter breeding areas along both sides of the Red Sea. Due to a lack of rain, breeding conditions are only favourable in a few areas, mainly on the northern coast of Eritrea. So far, limited breeding has been reported near Shelshela, Eritrea and Lith, Saudi Arabia. Although small-scale breeding is likely to occur in January in these areas as well as on the coast of Yemen, Sudan and northwest Somalia, no significant developments are expected.

31 December. Desert Locust situation under control in NW Mauritania
Locust infestations in sand dunes east of Nouakchott, Mauritania and expected movement of residual populations.

10 December. Desert Locust situation becomes serious in NW Mauritania

Desert Locust hoppers and adults are gregarizing and forming small groups in a remote and difficult area of Mauritania east of Nouakchott and south of Akjoujt. The infestations are present on drying bushes in between sand dunes within an estimated area of about 25 km by 15 km. Unconfirmed reports from nomads suggest that a larger area could be infested.

The infestations developed from breeding that started in late August, followed by a second generation of breeding in late October. The current infestations consist of mainly late instar (wingless) hoppers. About 90 percent of the hoppers have fledged and become immature adults.

National locust teams are presently in the infested areas where they are undertaking ground control operations. Additional teams are being mobilized from the capital. Surveys are also being mounted in adjacent areas to clarify the situation.

As the vegetation continues to dry out, the adults will move further north in Mauritania to northwest and northern regions of Inchiri, Adrar and Tiris Zemmour. Adults could also move into adjacent areas of Western Sahara where vegetation is green from unusually heavy rains in September. If temperatures remain warm and there are more rains, the adults are likely to mature and lay eggs in areas of green vegetation during December and January.

All efforts are required to monitor the situation carefully and undertake the necessary control operations in order to reduce the scale of adult movement towards the north.

FAO will continue to update the situation as it develops.

10 December. Desert Locust situation becomes serious in NW Mauritania
Adults are expected to move towards green areas in NW and N Mauritania and could reach W Sahara.

1 December. Breeding in progress in NW Mauritania and starting in Eritrea

The current Desert Locust situation remains calm and there is no threat to crops. Nevertheless, caution is required because breeding could occur in areas of previous heavy rains and flooding in Western Sahara, northern Mauritania and eastern Yemen.

In West Africa, small-scale breeding continues in northwest Mauritania where solitarious hoppers and adults are present. A few small hopper groups formed and ground control operations were carried out south of Akjoujt. Limited breeding has occurred in parts of Western Sahara where heavy rains fell in late September and early October. More breeding is expected this month there and in adjacent areas in northern Mauritania. Elsewhere, local breeding occurred in southern Algeria near Mali and low numbers of adults remain in northeast Chad between Arada and Fada.

In the winter breeding areas along both sides of the Red Sea, small-scale breeding has started on the coast of Eritrea and is expected to commence shortly on the coast of Saudi Arabia and Yemen where locust adults are already present as well as on the coast of Sudan. No significant developments are likely.

The situation remains calm in southwest Asia where scattered adults are present in the Cholistan Desert of Pakistan near the border of Rajasthan, India.

1 December. Breeding in progress in NW Mauritania and starting in Eritrea
The potentially favourable breeding conditions that can develop in NW Africa and Yemen maintains a warning level of CAUTION.

3 November. Unusually heavy rains favour breeding in NW Africa and Yemen

Vegetation has become green in Western Sahara where unusually heavy rains fell in late September. Although the rains were not as heavy or widespread as those in October 2003 (which led to a subsequent locust upsurge), they were sufficient to allow breeding conditions to remain favourable for several months. So far, only low numbers of solitarious adults have been found by survey teams in northern Mauritania. Further south, small-scale breeding is causing locust numbers to increase in western Mauritania where more breeding is likely and locusts may start to concentrate and form small groups. Both areas should be monitored carefully on a regular basis.

Low numbers of locust adults are expected to persist in those parts of northern Mali (Adrar des Iforas) and Niger (Air Mountains) that remain green during the winter. However, surveys are not possible due to continued insecurity.

Small-scale breeding is expected to commence on the coastal plains in the winter areas along both sides of the Red Sea, particularly in Yemen and to a lesser extent in parts of Saudi Arabia, Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt. Breeding is already in progress on the Gulf of Aden coast in southwest Yemen but locust numbers remain low.

Two days of torrential rains in late October caused severe flooding and loss of life and property in eastern Yemen and to a lesser extent in south and central Oman. Once the waters recede, breeding conditions are expected to remain favourable for several months. Regular surveys should be conducted in both countries to monitor any locust activity in the coming months.

The locust situation remains calm in southwest Asia.

3 November. Unusually heavy rains favour breeding in NW Africa and Yemen
The potentially favourable breeding conditions that can develop in NW Africa and Yemen maintains a warning level of CAUTION.

2 October. Unusually heavy rains in NW Africa prompt increased warning level to CAUTION

Unusually heavy rains fell in the past two to three weeks in Western Sahara and in adjacent areas of northern Mauritania. As a result of these rains, ecological conditions will become favourable for breeding and are likely to remain so for several months. Affected countries are encouraged to make regular ground surveys and monitor the situation carefully.

Summer rains have declined in the northern Sahel in West Africa and Sudan, and vegetation is starting to dry out. Consequently, locusts are likely to concentrate in areas that remain green, particularly in northern Mali and Niger where surveys are not possible due to continued insecurity. Locusts in southern Mauritania will move to NW and N Mauritania while those west of the Nile River in Sudan will move to the Red Sea coast. In both cases, the movement is expected to be limited this year but the adults will lay eggs upon reaching their destination.

Small-scale breeding is also likely to occur on the Red Sea coastal plains in Yemen which have not been surveyed for three months.

In SW Asia, the monsoon has nearly ended in summer breeding areas along both sides of the Indo-Pakistan border. Vegetation is drying out and no significant developments are expected.

2 October. Unusually heavy rains in NW Africa prompt increased warning level to CAUTION
Unusually heavy rains in Western Sahara prompts update of warning level to CAUTION.

2 September. Situation remains calm as summer breeding is in progress

The Desert Locust situation continues to remain calm in all countries. Small-scale breeding is in progress in southern Mauritania and low numbers of solitarious hoppers and adults are present. A similar situation is expected in northern Mali and Niger but surveys cannot be carried out due to security concerns. Low numbers of solitarious adults are also present in Sudan and are likely to be present in northeast Chad, western Eritrea and on the Red Sea coast in Yemen. Small-scale breeding is also in progress in Pakistan along the border with India.

During August, ground control teams treated small groups of hoppers near Adrar in central Algeria. National teams also sprayed about 4,000 ha of hoppers in central Libya that developed from eggs laid after unusually good rainfall in mid May. There is a slight risk that any undetected or untreated adults could move south to the northern Sahel in Niger and Chad.

Small-scale breeding will continue in September throughout the summer breeding areas of the northern Sahel, extending from Mauritania to western Eritrea, and along both sides of the Indo-Pakistan border. Breeding may occur on the Yemen coast. This will cause locust numbers to increase slightly in all areas but no significant developments are currently anticipated.

2 September. Situation remains calm as summer breeding is in progress
Summer breeding is in progress.

1 August. Situation remains calm as summer breeding starts

The current Desert Locust situation is calm in all countries in Africa and southwest Asia. Low numbers of solitarious adults are present in the summer breeding areas in the northern Sahel between Mauritania and the Nile Valley in Sudan. Due to insecurity, ground surveys can only be carried out in Mauritania and parts of Sudan. Breeding is also underway along both sides of the Indo-Pakistan border in areas where seasonal monsoon rains fell last month.

Somewhat higher numbers of locusts are present in the Central Sahara of Algeria where adults are concentrating on the edges of irrigated areas near Adrar, forming groups and laying eggs. Ground teams recently treated some of the infestations.

There have been no further signs of previously reported swarms in Ethiopia or northern Somalia. Instead, only scattered adults are present on the plateau on northern Somalia and on the Red Sea coast in Yemen.

During August and September, small-scale breeding will occur in the northern Sahel and along the Indo-Pakistan border. This will cause locust numbers to increase slightly but no significant developments are expected. Nevertheless, regular surveys should be maintained in the breeding areas.

1 August. Situation remains calm as summer breeding starts
Scattered locusts are present in a few countries.

2 July. Swarms may appear in eastern Ethiopia and northern Somalia

The Desert Locust situation has remained calm during the past month. Ground control operations against hopper groups ended in the spring breeding areas in southeast Iran. Limited control was carried out against groups of adults in the central Sahara in Algeria last month.

This is the time of year when locusts appear in the summer breeding areas in the northern Sahel that stretch from Mauritania to western Eritrea as well as in the interior of Yemen and along both sides of the Indo-Pakistan border. So far, only low and insignificant numbers have been reported in northern Niger, southern Algeria, southern Egypt, Yemen and in Pakistan. Although breeding occurred earlier than usual in Pakistan, most of the breeding is expected to occur during July and August which coincides with the seasonal rains. As a result, locusts numbers will increase slightly in the all of the breeding areas during this summer.

The current situation is less clear in Ethiopia where several large swarms were present in the south during the spring. Regular surveys are hampered by the rough terrain and insecurity. Yet there is a low to moderate risk that some swarms are still in the Harar Highlands which are likely to move north and east to the Ogaden region and to northern Somalia.

On 1 July, a swarm was seen flying over Hargeisa in northern Somalia moving from the southwest to the northeast. The prevailing winds will continue in this direction for most of July. Consequently, a few more small swarms and adults could move out of the highlands and spread across eastern Ethiopia and northern Somalia, and perhaps reach the northern coast and cross the Gulf of Aden to southern Yemen in the coming weeks. If they find favourable conditions in any of the above areas, the adults will mature rapidly and lay eggs that will hatch after two weeks.

Therefore, national teams in Ethiopia, northern Somalia and Yemen are advised to be on high alert and to increase ground surveys in order to clarify the current situation and monitor its developments.

2 July. Swarms may appear in eastern Ethiopia and northern Somalia
Swarms will move from the southwest to the northeast.

2 June. Undetected breeding may be in progress in eastern Ethiopia

Although Desert Locust infestations were not seen during surveys recently carried out in southern Ethiopia, there is high probability that locusts may be present and breeding in the Ogaden in eastern Ethiopia. If so, hopper bands could form that, if not treated, could give rise to small swarms later this month.

All efforts should be made to clarify the current situation in eastern Ethiopia, undertake surveys in all accessible areas on a regular basis and carry out control operations as needed.

Elsewhere, the situation remains calm. June is the month when locusts move from the spring breeding areas to the summer breeding areas. This year, low numbers of adults are expected to appear during June in southern Mauritania, northern Mali and Niger, eastern Chad, Darfur and Kordofan regions in Sudan, western Eritrea, the interior of Yemen, and along the Indo-Pakistan border. Small-scale breeding will occur in these areas once the seasonal rains commence.

As part of the early warning system, regular surveys are recommended in all of the above areas.

2 June. Undetected breeding may be in progress in eastern Ethiopia
Breeding likely to be in progress in eastern Ethiopia.

5 May. Hoppers bands in Iran could form swarms

The Desert Locust situation requires careful monitoring in the Horn of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and in southwest Asia.

Small hopper bands have formed in coastal and interior areas of southeastern Iran from breeding that occurred earlier in the spring. Any infestations that are not controlled could form small adult groups and perhaps a few small swarms. As vegetation dries out in the region, the adults are expected to move towards the summer breeding areas along both sides of the Indo-Pakistan border in May. The adults will lay eggs when the seasonal monsoon rains reach this area which is usually in June.

In the Arabian Peninsula, hatching occurred on a few farms on the northern edge of the Empty Quarter in Saudi Arabia. Although the small hopper bands that formed were treated, there is a moderate risk of more hatching and band formation occurring in other farms in the area.

In the Horn of Africa, several swarms persist in southern Ethiopia but the situation remains unclear due to the difficult and remote terrain. Most of these swarms are expected to move north to the Ogaden region in eastern Ethiopia and lay eggs in areas where seasonal rains have recently commenced. There is a moderate risk that some swarms could remain in the south and lay eggs. All efforts should be made to undertake regular surveys and carry out any control that is necessary.

Elsewhere, limited ground control operations were carried out against local infestations that developed from small-scale breeding in northern Sudan, central Algeria and northwestern Mauritania. Residual populations are expected to move south into the northern Sahel and breed when the summer rains begin in about June.

5 May. Hoppers bands in Iran could form swarms
Swarms persist in Ethiopia and breeding is in progress in Iran.

2 April. Locust swarms persist in S Ethiopia and breeding underway in SE Iran

The Desert Locust situation continues to remain serious in the Horn of Africa and near the Persian Gulf.

Immature swarms are present in southern Ethiopia near the Rift Valley and Konso. Swarms were also reported further north in the West Harerghe zone of the Harar Highlands last month. The situation is not very clear because survey and control operations are hampered by the rugged and remote terrain. Nevertheless, swarms are likely to move to the Ogaden in eastern Ethiopia this month. If rains fall, they will lay eggs that will hatch and cause hopper bands to form. Given the lack of detailed information from the field, it is not possible to indicate precisely the timing and scale of the movement or subsequent breeding. There is a risk that a few swarms could move into northwest Somalia. Therefore, Ethiopia and Somalia should be on high alert and take the necessary steps to increase surveys and undertake control operations as necessary.

Substantial aerial and ground control operations were carried out last month in eastern Saudi Arabia against swarms that arrived from Oman on several farms along the northern edge of the Empty Quarter. It is believed that some of the adults laid eggs which should be hatching in the coming days and hopper bands could form on some farms. Intensive surveys are recommended to monitor the situation carefully and control operations should be carried out when necessary.

Some of the swarms from Oman reached coastal and interior areas of southeast Iran and laid eggs. The eggs have already started hatching and hoppers are forming groups and small bands. More hatching is expected in the coming weeks. Intensive surveys should be maintained and control undertaken. A 30-day joint Iran/Pakistan commenced yesterday to check all the spring breeding areas on both sides of the common border in the Baluchistan region of Pakistan and Iran. The results of the survey will be used for planning locust operations during the summer along both sides of the Indo-Pakistan border.

2 April. Locust swarms persist in S Ethiopia and breeding underway in SE Iran
Swarms persist in Ethiopia and breeding is in progress in Iran.

3 March. Locust swarms move from Oman through Yemen, Saudi Arabia and UAE to Iran

A few small immature swarms from southern and central Oman moved during the second half of February north to the Jabal Akhdar mountains in Dhahira and Dakhiliya regions. Other swarms moved to eastern Yemen and then crossed the Empty Quarter to farms in eastern Saudi Arabia and southern UAE. Most of the swarms continued to the Musandam Peninsula, passing over Abu Dhabi and Dubai. At least one swarm crossed the Strait of Hormoz on 20 February to the southern coast of Iran where it settled near Minab and laid eggs. Control operations were carried out in Oman, Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Remnants of the swarms in Oman and Saudi Arabia could lay eggs in or near agricultural areas. Eggs that have already been laid in Iran will hatch in about a week and small hopper bands are likely to form. Control operations should be carried out to prevent new swarms from forming later in the spring.

All countries in the Region should remain alert and take the necessary steps to monitor the situation carefully and undertake control operations as needed.

In the Horn of Africa, small immature Desert Locust swarms are still present in southern Ethiopia. Survey and control operations are hampered by the mountainous and rugged terrain. Most of the swarms are expected to move to the Ogaden region in eastern Ethiopia and lay eggs when the long rains start later this month or in April. A few swarms could also move to northern Somalia and perhaps to the southern coast of the Red Sea in Eritrea.

In Sudan, locust populations continue to decline on the Red Sea coast in the Tokar Delta.

3 March. Locust swarms move from Oman through Yemen, Saudi Arabia and UAE to Iran
Swarms moved from southern and central Oman through Yemen, Saudi Arabia and UAE to southern Iran in late February.

25 February. Locust swarms in Oman, UAE, Iran and Ethiopia

A few small immature swarms from southern and central Oman have moved north to the Jabal Akhdar mountains in Dhahira and Dakhiliya regions. Some locusts may have crossed the mountains and reached the Batinah coast near Rustaq, Oman. On the 19th, groups of adults were seen in the UAE in Abu Dhabi and on the Musandam Peninsula. On the 20th, locusts were reported in Dubai and a small swarm crossed the Strait of Hormuz to the southern coast of Iran near Minab where it was said to be laying eggs. Control operations were carried out in Iran.

A few more swarms could form and move to northern Oman and cross to southeast Iran. The swarms are expected to mature quickly and lay eggs in areas of recent rainfall and green vegetation along the coast. Some swarms could reach Chabahar and Iranshahr, Iran and the Baluchistan coast of Pakistan near Gwadar and Pasni.

All countries in the Region should remain alert and take the necessary steps to monitor the situation carefully and undertake control operations as needed.

In the Horn of Africa, at least one small immature Desert Locust swarm has recently been reported in southern Ethiopia near Konso. Control operations could only treat part of the swarm due to the mountainous and rugged terrain. Similar swarms are probably present in other parts of the Harar Highlands along the eastern side of the Rift Valley and perhaps on the western edge of the Ogaden. There remains a risk that the swarms could move several different directions: (1) south to northern Kenya, (2) west towards SNNPR region, (3) north to Djibouti and cross Bab el Mandeb to Yemen, (4) northwest into the Danakil Depression and to the southern coast of Eritrea, (5) northeast across the Somali plateau to the Gulf of Aden coast in northern Somalia, or (6) reinvade the Ogaden in eastern Ethiopia. In any case, swarms in the Horn of Africa will mature and lay eggs with the onset of the long rains (about March).

In Sudan, control operations are declining on the Red Sea coast in the Tokar Delta where mainly scattered fledglings and adults are present. No locusts were seen in mid-February on the coast of Eritrea.

25 February. Locust swarms in Oman, UAE, Iran and Ethiopia
Swarms may threaten several countries in the region.

18 February. Locust swarms in Oman and Yemen; persist in Ethiopia

New reports indicate that a few locust swarms are present in Oman and Yemen. In southern Oman, an immature swarm was reported on 11 February in the Dhofar hills near Salalah. On the 13th, there was an unconfirmed report of a large immature swarm in northern Oman on the southern side of Jebel Akhdar near Al Hamra. Ground control operations were in progress earlier in the month in the central interior against late instar hopper bands and immature adults from local breeding that occurred near the Marmul oil fields and the coast. There is an increasing risk that a few swarms could reach the Batinah coastal plains in northern Oman and perhaps cross the Gulf to the Baluchistan coast in southeastern Iran and western Pakistan.

In eastern Yemen, two immature swarms were seen in the Al-Mahra region near the border of Oman between Hat and Shehen of 14 February. There is a high risk that a few swarms could move back and forth along the Yemen / Oman border.

In Ethiopia, immature locust swarms up to about 5 square km in size continue to be reported east of the Rift Valley in the highlands of Oromiya region, mainly in Borena, Arsi and Bale zones, and in southern Somali region in the past few days. Survey and control operations are difficult because of the mountainous terrain and because the swarms are highly mobile. Consequently, there remains a risk that the swarms could move several different directions: (1) south to northern Kenya, (2) west towards SNNPR region, (3) north to Djibouti and cross Bab el Mandeb to Yemen, (4) northwest into the Danakil Depression and to the southern coast of Eritrea, (5) northeast across the Somali plateau to the Gulf of Aden coast in northern Somalia, or (6) reinvade the Ogaden in eastern Ethiopia. In any case, swarms in the Horn of Africa will mature and lay eggs with the onset of the long rains (about March).

The above-mentioned countries should remain on high alert and take the necessary steps to monitoring the situation carefully and undertake control operations as necessary to reduce the threat to crops and livelihoods.

18 February. Locust swarms in Oman and Yemen; persist in Ethiopia
Swarms may threaten several countries in the region.

4 February. Locust swarms persist in Ethiopia

Immature swarms are still present in the Rift Valley and Harar Highlands of Ethiopia. Aerial and ground control operations are in progress by national teams and the Desert Locust Control Organization for Eastern Africa (DLCO-EA). There is a risk that the swarms could move several different directions: (1) down the Rift Valley to the Turkana District in northwest Kenya, (2) north along the railway to Djibouti and cross Bab el Mandeb to Yemen, (3) northwest into the Danakil Depression and to the southern coast of Eritrea, (4) across the Somali plateau to the Gulf of Aden coast in northern Somalia, or (5) reinvade the Ogaden in eastern Ethiopia. In any case, swarms in the Horn of Africa will mature and lay eggs with the onset of the long rains (about March).

Control operations also continue against hopper bands and new adults on the Red Sea coast of Sudan in the Tokar Delta and on the nearby plains to the south. There is a chance that adults could form a few groups or a small swarm that may cross the Red Sea to Saudi Arabia.

In central Oman, control operations have treated late instar hopper bands and immature adults from local breeding that occurred near the Marmul oil fields and the coast. Any escaping locusts are expected to move towards the northern interior and coast, and there is a low risk that some adult groups could cross the Gulf of Oman and reach the coastal plains near the Iran and Pakistan border. There, good rains fell in January and spring breeding is expected to commence shortly.

The above-mentioned countries should remain on high alert and take the necessary steps to monitoring the situation carefully and undertake control operations as necessary to reduce the threat to crops and livelihoods.

4 February. Locust swarms persist in Ethiopia
Swarms in Ethiopia may threaten several countries in the region.

30 January. Locust swarms moving in the Rift Valley in Ethiopia

Immature swarms of Desert Locust have recently appeared in the Harar Highlands south of Dire Dawa. These swarms are probably from earlier breeding that occurred in the Ogaden in eastern Ethiopia. Aerial control operations are in progress but the mountainous terrain is hampering the ability to find and treat all of the infestations. Most of the swarms are expected to move within the Rift Valley and mature. Egg-laying will occur if the swarms find suitable ecological conditions. There is a low to moderate risk that a few swarms could move further north to the escarpment and coastal areas in northwest Somalia during periods of southwesterly winds. So far, only scattered solitarious adults are present in northwest Somalia but surveys are continuing.

Immature swarms were also present about 600 km to the southwest in the Konso area and Omo Valley of southwest Ethiopia within 50 km of the border of Kenya. Some of the swarms were said to be extremely dense. Aerial control operations treated most of the infestations but some swarms may have escaped. If so, there is a moderate to high risk that these swarms could move into the Turkana region in northwest Kenya or perhaps into western Ethiopia where they could mature and lay eggs.

Intensive survey and control efforts should continue in order to minimize the threat to agriculture and livelihoods in the region.

30 January. Locust swarms moving in the Rift Valley in Ethiopia
Swarms will persist in the Rift Valley in central Ethiopia and perhaps move to NW Kenya and NW Somalia.

9 January. Locust situation may be improving in Ethiopia and Kenya

As a result of control operations and a lack of rains, recent reports suggest that the Desert Locust situation may be improving in Ethiopia and Kenya. Vegetation has dried out in most areas because no significant rains have fallen since early December, and locust infestations are declining.

Ground and aerial control operations have been carried out against hopper band and swarm infestations in northeast Kenya (Mandera and Moyale districts) and in southeast Ethiopia (Moyale and north of the Dawa River). Currently, few infestations are thought to remain in these areas. Operations are currently in progress in the Gore region in eastern Ethiopia against immature swarms that are present in irrigated crops along the Shebele River. These operations should finish in a few days.

Although the situation appears to be improving, all countries in the Region should remain on high alert because there remains a high risk that some swarms may still be present and could move south to Kenya and perhaps west to Uganda or western Ethiopia.

On 7 January, several swarms were reported to have invaded south and southwest Ethiopia where at least 10 districts may be affected. Swarms were said to have reached as far west as the Rift Valley in the south Omo area. Teams are being dispatched to confirm the situation.

Unless further rains fall, the swarms will not mature quickly nor will they be able to lay eggs.

9 January. Locust situation may be improving in Ethiopia and Kenya
Immature locust swarm near Kebri Dehar, eastern Ethiopia, 31/12/07.

03 January. Swarms continue to form in Ethiopia and invade Kenya

Recent reports indicate that new immature swarms continue to form in the Ogaden in eastern Ethiopia. During the last week of December, several of these swarms moved south to northeastern Kenya where they were seen near Mandera. Most of the swarms were less than 10 square km in size and were too mobile to treat. Current control operations are focused on eastern Ethiopia to reduce the number of swarms and their movement to northern Kenya. However operations are restricted due to insecurity in some areas. The locust situation in adjacent areas of southern Somalia is not known.

New swarms will continue to form in eastern Ethiopia and along the border with Kenya. Swarms are expected to move southwest to the Oromiya region and towards the Rift Valley in southwest Ethiopia while other swarms are likely to continue to northeast, central and northwest Kenya where they could mature and eventually lay eggs. There is a moderate risk that a few swarms could reach Uganda and a slight risk of swarms reaching northern Tanzania.

All efforts are required to monitor and report the situation, and measures should be taken to control the current infestations.

In Sudan, hatching and hopper band formation is in progress in the Tokar Delta on the Red Sea coast where several swarms arrived and laid eggs last month. Aerial and ground control operations are in progress. Breeding will continue during January in Tokar and is likely to extend south along the coast to northern Eritrea.

Scattered locust adults are present in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, northern Somalia, Oman, Iran, Mauritania and Algeria. Small-scale breeding is underway in central Oman, southeastern Iran, southern Algeria, and western Mauritania. National survey and control teams are active in all of these areas.

03 January. Swarms continue to form in Ethiopia and invade Kenya
New swarms will form and move south and southwest in Ethiopia and Kenya during the next few weeks.