Potentially dangerous situation may develop in Mauritania, Sudan and Yemen
Control operations are in progress in northwest Mauritania, the interior of northern Sudan, and on the Red Sea coast in Yemen where hopper bands are currently forming as a result of local breeding. There is a risk that a potentially dangerous situation may develop in the coming months. Consequently, intensive survey and control operations should be maintained.
In Mauritania, an outbreak developed in the northwest during October and good rains fell in early November. As a result, hoppers continue to form groups and bands while adults are forming groups in Inchiri, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, southwest Adrar and northern Trarza. Ground teams have treated more than 13,000 ha so far in November.
In Sudan, hopper and adults are forming groups in those areas that remain green after the summer rains in the interior to the northwest of Khartoum and along the Atbara River. Hopper bands have also formed in these areas. Ground teams have treated more than 2,200 ha so far in November. More adult groups are expected to move from the interior to the Red Sea coast in the coming weeks.
In Yemen, breeding continues along the northern coast of the Red Sea where first generation hoppers are forming groups and bands. Adults are maturing and forming groups. Second generation egg-laying starting about ten days ago and hatching and band formation are expected to commence from the end of November onwards. Ground teams treated about 8,000 ha during the first decade of November. Smaller infestations are present on the southern coast near Aden.
In Eritrea, ground teams are treating hopper infestations in cropping areas on the Red Sea coast near Shelshela, and there are unconfirmed reports of locusts further north near the Sudanese border.
In northern Somalia, a rare tropical cyclone brought heavy rains to the northwest coast which is a traditional winter breeding area for the Desert Locust. Surveys will be undertaken shortly to check the areas.