Control operations against swarms and bands on the Red Sea coast
The Desert Locust situation remains serious in the winter breeding areas along both sides of the Red Sea. During January, ground and aerial control operations continue against hoppers bands and a few swarms in northeast Sudan (15,600 ha) and on the Red Sea coast in Saudi Arabia (3,500 ha). Ground control operations are in progress against similar infestations in southeast Egypt (3,100 ha). Another generation of breeding will occur in the three countries, causing locust numbers to increase further. Recently, a few swarms were seen laying eggs on the coastal plains near the Sudan/Eritrea border. All efforts are required to monitor the situation carefully and undertake the necessary control operations.
The Desert Locust situation is currently calm in the Western Region. In Niger, residual populations of scattered immature solitarious adults are present in Tamensa and Air while small-scale breeding is in progress in a few places in the Air Mountains. In Algeria, limited control operations were undertaken against small infestations of adults near irrigated areas in the central Sahara (Adrar). In Morocco, control operations (1,400 ha) were undertaken recently against groups of immature adults in the southern part of the Western Sahara. Limited operations are also in progress in adjacent coastal areas of northwest Mauritania, and scattered immature adults are present in parts of the north and northwest. Low temperatures will delay locust maturation and limit movements within the Region.
