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).