The hatching phase of the Moroccan locust (DMA) has been successfully completed across all Central Asian countries, marking a significant development in the region's agricultural landscape. Throughout April, the growth of locust hoppers continued, with the first instances of fledging observed in some southern regions. Notably, hatching was documented in Azerbaijan towards the end of the reporting period, indicating the progression of locust activity in the area. Additionally, hatching of the Italian locust (CIT) commenced in southern Kazakhstan at the close of the month. In contrast, there has been no recorded hatching of the Asian Migratory locust (LMI) thus far, suggesting a delay in its lifecycle compared to other locust species.
Looking ahead to May, it is anticipated that the fledging and mating stages of the DMA will occur throughout Central Asia. This will be accompanied by a substantial increase in hatching activities, particularly in the Caucasus and the Russian Federation, where hopper development will follow. The hatching of CIT is expected to begin in additional countries within the Caucasus and Central Asia, further complicating the locust dynamics in the region. Moreover, there is a possibility that LMI hatching may initiate in its historical breeding territories, which include Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation, and Uzbekistan.
In terms of control measures, efforts in Central Asia remained robust throughout April, with operations covering an impressive 526,558 hectares (ha) by the month's end. This figure represents a decrease of approximately 15% compared to the same timeframe in 2022, when control activities spanned 621,657 ha. The ongoing management of locust populations is critical to safeguarding agricultural productivity and mitigating the potential impact on food security in the region.
As reported by fao.org.
