Desert Locust Bulletin Highlights Persistent Outbreaks and Breeding in Africa
Desert Locust outbreaks continue in Northwestern Africa with increased locust activity observed in Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Morocco. Adult groups are noted in Niger and Chad, while populations declined along the Nile Valley. Forecasts suggest further breeding and migration towards Sahel regions, necessitating control operations to manage the situation effectively.
The latest Desert Locust Bulletin, dated May 7, 2025, reports ongoing locust outbreaks primarily in the Western Region. April saw an uptick in adult locust groups, with some small swarms moving northward across parts of the Sahara, specifically between Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. Groups were also spotted in Morocco, northern Chad, and Niger, signaling a concerning trend in locust movement and breeding across these countries.
Furthermore, while locust populations are in decline along the Red Sea’s edges, isolated adult groups and swarms remain active in southern Egypt and northern Sudan. In this area, the emergence of hopper groups has been noted along with some breeding activities. There’s also evidence of locusts laying eggs in Saudi Arabia’s interior, indicating the need for continued vigilance in these regions.
Looking ahead, the forecast indicates that spring breeding will continue in Algeria, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia throughout May. New adult groups as well as small swarms are projected to form, which may begin moving south toward the Sahel as early as June due to expected rainfall patterns. Additionally, ongoing spring breeding is likely along the Nile Valley in Sudan and Egypt, leading to further migrations to summer breeding areas.
In Saudi Arabia, limited spring breeding activity is anticipated, with new adult populations emerging in early June. The situation necessitates persistent control operations in all affected areas to manage potential locust groups and swarms effectively. Interestingly, no significant developments have occurred in the Eastern Region recently, keeping focus primarily on these western areas.
In summary, the Desert Locust Bulletin reveals persistent outbreaks mainly in Northwestern Africa, with breeding activities likely continuing. Key regions including Algeria, Libya, and Morocco are expected to see increases in locust groups and swarms as summer arrives. Control measures remain critical moving forward to mitigate the impact of this ongoing situation.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
