Control operations underway in Niger and Chad
As the seasonal rains have ended in the Sahel and vegetation is drying out, Desert Locusts are concentrating and increasing in density in the few areas that are still green. Although current control operations are reducing locust numbers and infestations in Niger and Chad, migration to Northwest Africa is imminent, albeit on a smaller scale, since it is difficult to find and control all locust infestations in the northern Sahel.
In Chad, control operations are in progress against small swarms that continue to form in the northeast near Fada. In Niger, control teams are treating small groups of hoppers and adults that are forming near Tahoua, on the Tamesna Plains and along the western side of the Air Mountains. A few hopper bands have also been reported. The situation in northern Mali is expected to be similar to that in Niger and Chad but this cannot be confirmed due to insecurity. National survey teams continue to monitor cropping areas in central Mali where only a few isolated locusts have been detected so far.
As vegetation continues to dry out in the Sahel, more small groups and swarms are expected to form in Chad, Mali and Niger. In the coming weeks, they will migrate towards the north and west to western and central Libya, southern and central Algeria, and northwest Mauritania. Some swarms could reach western Algeria, southern Morocco and Western Sahara. The swarms are likely to settle in areas that receive rainfall where they will mature and lay eggs in about December. There is also a risk that a few swarms could move towards cropping areas in central and western Mali.
Local breeding is currently underway in northwest and central Mauritania where control operations are in progress against groups of hoppers and adults.
All countries in the Region have been informed to remain on high alert and take the necessary precautions. In addition, all efforts should continue to maintain and expand survey and control operations in the areas presently infested in Chad, Niger and Mauritania.
Elsewhere, control operations are underway in northern Sudan against groups of hoppers and adults near Khartoum. Low numbers of locusts recently arrived on the Red Sea coastal plains from the summer breeding areas in the interior of the country.