U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
BUREAU FOR DEMOCRACY, CONFLICT, AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE (DCHA)
OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)

Background

During July and August of 2003, favorable climatic conditions resulted in increased locust breeding levels throughout the Sahel. The density of the swarms increased during October and November in Mauritania, Mali, and Niger, and the locusts became gregarious. With an average life span of four months, the gregarious females can lay eggs three times more frequently than solitary locusts. The locusts matured