Locust Watch in Caucasus and Central Asia

General situation during May 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. 

11/03/2020

General situation from November 2019 to February 2020 Forecast until late March 2020 Natural cycles of the three locust species – Italian Locust (CIT), Migratory Locust (LMI) and Moroccan Locust (DMA) ended in late summer/early autumn in all countries with eggs laid in the soil, where they overwinter (embryonic diapause). During the forecast period, no development is expected as no hatching will occur.

11/05/2020

General Situation during April 2020 Forecast for May 2020 Moroccan Locust (DMA) hopper development was in progress in Central Asia (CA) and in Azerbaijan. In Uzbekistan, dense hopper bands formed in the south. Italian Locust (CIT) hatching started in Uzbekistan. During the forecast period, DMA hatching will start in Russian Federation and fledging and mating will occur in the southern CA countries.

16/04/2020

General Situation during March 2020 Forecast for April 2020 Moroccan Locust (DMA) hatching started significantly earlier than last year in Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan (and probably Turkmenistan), as a result of a warm weather with close to or below the normal rainfall in late winter - early spring. Overall, warmer and drier conditions ensured good overwintering of eggs. If such warm and dry conditions persist through April, locust numbers should be up compared to 2019.

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