Ecological conditions likely to improve in areas affected by cyclones Sagar and Mekunu

Currently, the Desert Locust situation remains calm in all countries. Only low numbers of solitarious adults are present in central Algeria and on the southern coast of Yemen and Iran. Small-scale breeding occurred in central Algeria during April and May, and ground teams treated 228 ha.

June is typical the month in which locusts shift from spring to summer breeding areas. The movement this year is expected to be extremely limited due to poor breeding during this past winter and spring. Consequently, only low numbers of solitarious adults are likely to appear in southeast Mauritania, northeast Mali, northern Niger, the interior of Sudan and along both sides of the Indo-Pakistan border by the end of the month or shortly thereafter. Small-scale breeding will commence with the onset of the summer rains.

The heavy rains and floods associated with cyclones Sagar and Mekunu over the Horn of Africa and southern Arabia last month are likely to give rise to favourable breeding conditions later this month that could last for several months or more. As a precautionary measure, regular surveys are recommended to monitor ecological conditions and detect any signs of breeding in coastal and interior areas of eastern Yemen and southern Oman, the Empty Quarter of Saudi Arabia along the Yemen/Oman border, coastal and interior areas of northwest Somalia, and adjacent areas of eastern Ethiopia.

For more information please download the Desert Locust bulletin from the link below:
http://desertlocust-crc.org/Download.ashx?File=App_Uploads/Bulletins/Files/180610063852DL476e.pdf