Desert Locust threat extends to additional countries
In the past week, Desert Locust infestations have been reported in Libya, Morocco, Egypt and Saudi Arabia while increased activity occurred in Niger, Mauritania and Sudan.
A few small swarms formed on the Tamesna Plains in northern Niger and northeastern Mali as well as in northern Chad near Faya. Hoppers and adults continue to gregarize and form small groups in Niger, primarily on the Tamesna Plains, in the Air Mountains, and in some central areas. Ground control operations continue in Niger and to a lesser extent in Chad.
During periods of warm southerly winds, small groups of adults moved north into southern Algeria near In Guezzam, into northwest Libya near Ghadames and the border of Tunisia, and in southeast Libya near Kufra Oasis where control operations were carried out.
In Mauritania, ground control operations continue against groups of hoppers and adults in the northwest and centre. An increasing number of locusts were reported in the Western Sahara and along the southern side of the Atlas Mountains in Morocco.
In Sudan, ground and aerial control operations continue against small swarms that have been forming in the summer breeding areas of the interior and moving towards the northeast. Groups of adults were seen along the Nile Valley in the north as well as in adjacent areas of Upper Egypt near Abu Simbel where ground control operations are in progress. An increasing number of adults have been reported in the winter breeding areas in northeast Sudan, on the Red Sea coastal plains in southeastern Egypt where a small swarm was seen, and in the Tokar Delta, Sudan. A limited number of adults may have crossed the Red Sea to northern coastal plains of Saudi Arabia near Yenbo, north of Jeddah.
All efforts should continue to maintain and expand survey and control operations in the affected countries in order to reduce the scale of further migration and eventual breeding.