Desert Locust Updates: February 2025 Report and Future Forecasts

Desert Locust outbreaks remain significant in northern Sudan and southern Sahara as populations decline along the Red Sea coast. Adult groups are prevalent in the Nile Valley, and new hopper bands emerged in Saudi Arabia. Breeding is expected to increase in various North African countries, necessitating ongoing control operations.

The Desert Locust Bulletin 557, dated March 5, 2025, provides an update on Desert Locust outbreaks in regions such as northern Sudan and the southern Sahara for the month of February. Declines in locust populations were observed along the Red Sea coast, particularly from Eritrea to Egypt, yet adult swarms continue in the Nile Valley of both northern Sudan and southern Egypt. New hopper groups emerged along the northern coast of Saudi Arabia, while Algeria reported an increase in mating adults and early hatching hoppers, alongside movements of some adults toward the southeast. Groups of adults persisted in Niger and emerged in southern Libya, with a few small swarms also sighted in northern Chad and isolated adults in Morocco. Although control operations persisted, their scale saw a notable decrease in February.

The Desert Locust Bulletin indicates ongoing challenges with locust outbreaks in northern Sudan and the southern Sahara. While locust populations have diminished along certain coastal areas, significant breeding is anticipated as conditions for spring reproduction unfold. The continuation of control operations is vital, particularly in regions like Algeria, Libya, and parts of the Nile Valley.

Original Source: reliefweb.int