6 March 2026: Desert locust Bulletin (February 2026 and Forecast to mid-April 2026)
Key points:
- Overview: The serious Desert Locust outbreak continued in Western Sahara and southern Morocco.
- Current situation: Adult groups increased and moved northward in Western Sahara and Morocco where breeding resumed; some adult groups reached the Canary Islands and Algeria. Some locusts were also detected in Mauritania, Egypt, Sudan and Eritrea.
- Control and operations: Decreased in February (34 564 ha treated) compared to January (47 358 ha).
- Forecasts: Adult groups and small swarms may continue moving northward into Morocco and Algeria where breeding may produce new hopper groups and small bands.
In February, the serious outbreak continued in Western Sahara and southern Morocco. Immature adult groups increased in Western Sahara, where some matured and bred and hopper groups were still present. Mature adult groups also increased and moved northward in Morocco, breeding in many locations, with some reaching north of Agadir. A few adult groups reached the Canary Islands and western Algeria. Scattered adults were also observed in central Algeria. Adult groups and small swarms moved out of Mauritania. In the Central Region, isolated and scattered adults were reported in Sudan, while only isolated adults were found in Egypt and Eritrea. No locusts were reported in the Eastern Region.
During the forecast period, further northward migration of small swarms and adult groups is expected in the Western Region, particularly into Morocco and Algeria, where breeding is likely to increase and new hopper groups and bands may form. Continued surveys and sustained control operations will be essential to prevent new infestations. In the Central and Eastern Regions, small‑scale spring breeding may begin in interior areas of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Yemen if rainfall occurs as well as in the southern regions of Iran, although no significant developments are expected.
