Desert Locust Outbreak Update: January 2025

Desert locust outbreaks continue in Niger, Sudan, and Eritrea, with increased control operations and forecasts indicating further breeding activity.

In early January 2025, there have been ongoing desert locust outbreaks in regions including Niger, Sudan, and a newly developed outbreak in Eritrea. Specifically, Sudan reports groups and swarms alongside scattered locusts along the Egyptian and Arabian coasts, while Oman has few swarms and isolated adults are noted in northwest Somalia and India. Furthermore, groups are present in Niger and Algeria, along with isolated hoppers and adults in Mauritania and some adults in Morocco.

Control operations against these desert locusts have significantly increased, with 14,553 hectares treated in December compared to just 4,162 hectares in November. With the forecast indicating continued second-generation breeding, hatching activity is anticipated to escalate, with increasing bands of hoppers along the coasts of Sudan and Eritrea, as well as parts of southeast Egypt and Saudi Arabia starting in early January.

As the situation evolves, additional rainfall could enhance breeding along the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden coasts. Despite the ongoing threats, small groups may persist in northern Niger and southern Algeria but are not anticipated to lead to significant developments in the Eastern Region. Meanwhile, control measures will need to adjust according to the locust population growth and new breeding areas introduced.

In summary, the desert locust situation remains critical, with outbreaks reported in several countries, including a newly developed outbreak in Eritrea. Control operations have intensified to combat the rising locust populations. Forecasts suggest that further monitoring and control efforts will be required as breeding is expected to increase in the coming weeks, particularly along the coastlines of Sudan, Eritrea, and surrounding areas.

Original Source: www.fao.org