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

General situation during May 2026 Forecast for June 2026 

Moroccan locust (DMA) hopper development was almost completed in Central Asia (CA); mass fledging and mating started, as well as egg-laying in the southern areas. DMA hatching was observed, followed by hopper development, in Azerbaijan, Georgia and the Russian Federation. DMA situation in May was classified as a threat by all CA countries and as calm in Caucasus and the Russian Federation. Italian locust (CIT) hatching continued in Kazakhstan and started in other affected Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA) countries, followed by hopper development. The situation was classified as a threat in the Central Asian countries where it is present, and a calm in Caucasus and in the Russian Federation. Migratory locust (LMI) hatching started in Kazakhstan and in the Russian Federation. DMA lifecycle will be completed in CA in June, while fledging and egg-laying will start in Caucasus and the Russian Federation. CIT fledging and mating will occur in southern regions of Kazakhstan, in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. CIT hopper development will continue in Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, the Russian Federation and the northern regions of Kazakhstan. LMI hatching will continue and hopper development will take place in Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation. Treatments against all locust species and grasshoppers reached 1 422 122 hectares (ha) in CCA since the start of the campaign, with represents a 9.5% decrease with respect to the same period last year (1 570 940 ha). 

General Situation during March 2016 Forecast until mid-May 2016
Moroccan Locust (DMA) hatching started up to one month earlier than usual in at least three Central Asian countries, namely Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan –and probably also in Afghanistan and Turkmenistan- following warm winter and early spring. During the forecast period, DMA hopper development will continue in these countries...
General Situation during September 2015 Forecast until early 2016
In September, the locust situation was calm in all Caucasian and Central Asian countries as the life cycle of the three pests was coming to an end or already completed. Italian Locust (CIT) mating and egg-laying were still observed in Armenia and ended in Kazakhstan. No control operations were carried...
General Situation during August 2015 Forecast until mid-October 2015
In August, Moroccan Locust (DMA) life cycle came to an end in Central Asian countries as well as in Azerbaijan. Italian Locust (CIT) mating occurred in Armenia while adults were disappearing in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. CIT egg-laying was in progress in Georgia as well...
General Situation during July 2015 Forecast until mid-September 2015
In July, Moroccan Locust (DMA) adults only were present in Central Asian countries as well as in Azerbaijan. Limited control operations were carried out (on less than 10 000 ha) and egg-laying surveys were in progress. Italian Locust (CIT) hopper development was in progress in Armenia while fledging occurred almost everywhere in...
General Situation during June 2015 Forecast until mid-August 2015
In June, Moroccan Locust (DMA) hopper development came to an end and fledging, followed by mating and egg-laying, occurred in all Central Asian countries as well as in Azerbaijan and probably in Georgia; natural disappearance started in some of that countries. Italian Locust (CIT) hopper development was in progress...