Desert Locust Bulletin 557: Current Situation and Forecast for March 2025

Desert Locust outbreaks persisted in northern Sudan and the southern Sahara in February 2025. Adult locusts remained in the Nile Valley and Saudi Arabia, while breeding increased in Algeria and Libya. Control operations fell to 25,058 hectares, down from January’s 41,877 hectares. Spring breeding forecasts indicate further locust population increases in these areas, necessitating continuous monitoring and control efforts.

Desert Locust outbreaks continued in northern Sudan and southern Sahara throughout February 2025. Despite a decline in locust populations along the Red Sea coast from Eritrea to Egypt during winter, swarms and adult groups remained in northern Sudan and southern Egypt’s Nile Valley. New hopper bands formed on Saudi Arabia’s northern coast, while copulating adults and early instar hoppers increased in Algeria. Additionally, adults were noted in Niger, with sightings of small swarms in northern Chad, and isolated adults present in Morocco. Control operations diminished compared to January, with 25,058 hectares treated in February, down from 41,877 hectares in January.

Looking ahead, spring breeding is anticipated to begin with adult groups and swarms primarily near irrigated crops along the Nile Valley of northern Sudan and southern Egypt. In Saudi Arabia, locusts are expected to migrate from the Red Sea coast to the interior, prompting a new generation of spring breeding. In Algeria and Libya, numbers are projected to increase in March and April due to laying, hatching, and the development of hopper groups and bands. Persistent locust populations may remain in northern Niger and Chad, with small-scale breeding expected in Morocco. Thus, continuous control operations will be necessary across these regions, although significant developments are not anticipated in the Eastern Region.

In summary, the Desert Locust situation reflects ongoing outbreaks in critical regions, particularly in northern Sudan and Algeria. Prognoses indicate a rise in locust populations during the imminent spring breeding period, necessitating ongoing monitoring and control operations. The reduced scale of control actions and expected breeding highlights the need for vigilant management to mitigate potential agricultural impacts.

Original Source: reliefweb.int