General Situation during May 2013 Forecast until mid-July 2013
The Desert Locust situation remained serious as a result of breeding in the northern part of the Central Region and in Northwest Africa during May. In both regions, control operations were carried out against hopper groups and bands.By the end of the month, adults were forming groups in many areas. During June, more groups, including perhaps a few small swarms, are expected to form and move from spring breeding areas in Northwest Africa to the summer breeding areas in the northern Sahel of West Africa, and from the Sinai and Arabian peninsulas to the summer breeding areas in central Sudan. A few adult groups may also appear in the interior of Yemen. Egg-laying will occur with the onset of the seasonal rains in the summer breeding areas. Insecurity in northern Mali and western Sudan as well as in other places is likely to restrict field operations in the summer breeding areas.