Desert Locust Outbreak Update: January 2025
Desert locust outbreaks are continuing in Niger and Sudan, with a new outbreak in Eritrea. Control operations have dramatically increased, and it is forecasted that second-generation breeding will commence in early January along specific coastal areas. Control measures will be necessary to contain the situation.
On January 6, 2025, updates regarding desert locust outbreaks indicate a continuation of infestations primarily in Niger and Sudan, alongside a newly developed outbreak in Eritrea. In Sudan, groups and bands of locusts have formed, while Eritrea experiences scattered locusts with increased activity. Additional reports confirm the presence of locusts along the coasts of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen, with few swarms noted in Oman and isolated individuals observed in northwest Somalia and India.
The current situation comprises various locust groupings, including bands and swarms found in Niger and Algeria, with isolated hoppers and adults spotted in Mauritania and a limited number of adults in Morocco. Control efforts have intensified significantly, rising to 14,553 hectares in December from just 4,162 hectares in November.
Forecasts suggest that second-generation breeding is likely to progress with hatching, leading to increased numbers of hopper groups and bands starting in early January along the coasts of Sudan and Eritrea, and potentially extending into southeast Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Additionally, it is anticipated that minor groups may persist in northern Niger and southern Algeria, necessitating continued control operations.
Overall, while control measures are being implemented, the situation requires ongoing attention. The expected breeding and subsequent increase in locust numbers call for additional rainfall to support effective breeding along benefactor regions such as the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The Eastern Region is not anticipated to experience significant developments.
In summary, desert locust outbreaks are ongoing in Niger, Sudan, and a new outbreak has emerged in Eritrea. Control operations have significantly increased, and forecasts predict continued breeding activity in early January across the affected regions. To manage these outbreaks effectively, necessary control measures and possible rainfall to facilitate breeding will be essential.
Original Source: www.fao.org
