Attachments
General Situation during February 2013
Forecast until mid-April 2013
The Desert Locust situation remained worrisome during February in the winter breeding areas along both sides of the Red Sea where locust infestations continued to increase. Adults formed groups and swarms in Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea and Saudi Arabia. Some of these moved into crops along the Nile River in northern Sudan, laid eggs and caused damage, while a limited number of groups and swarms moved north along the Egyptian coast where they could eventually threaten the Nile Delta. Substantial control operations were carried out by the three countries. A smaller, second generation of breeding is expected to occur along both sides of the Red Sea. Groups of adults are likely to move to the interior of Saudi Ababia where one generation of breeding can occur. Elsewhere, a few small swarms formed in the Western Sahara and moved into adjacent areas of northwest Mauritania.
Western Region. The locust situation remained generally calm in the region during February. Adult groups and a few small swarms formed in the southern part of Western Sahara. Some of these moved into adjacent areas of northwest Mauritania. Limited control operations were carried out in Morocco and Mauritania. Scattered mature adults were present in central Algeria and northeast Morocco. As temperatures warm up in March, low numbers of adults are likely to appear in Morocco south of the Atlas Mountains and in the northern and central Sahara in Algeria, and breed on a small scale in areas that receive rainfall. No significant developments are expected.
Central Region. Locust numbers continued to increase significantly during February from breeding along the Red Sea coastal plains in southeast Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, and Saudi Arabia where hopper bands and swarms formed. Immature groups and swarms moved from northeast Sudan to the Nile Valley in northern Sudan, laying eggs, and causing damage to crops and date palms. Immature groups and a few small swarms moved north along the Red Sea coast of Egypt, nearly reaching Suez. Infestations declined in the second half of February due to control operations and migration. Elsewhere, only isolated adults were seen on the Red Sea coast in Yemen. There is a moderate risk that a few small groups and swarmlets may reach cropping areas in the Nile Valley and Delta of Egypt. A smaller second generation of breeding will occur in southeast Egypt, along the Sudan/Eritrea border and on the northern Red Sea coast in Saudi Arabia. Breeding will continue along the Nile in northern Sudan where a few more swarms may appear from the northeast. Scattered adults and small groups are likely to appear in the spring breeding areas of the interior of Saudi Arabia, and breed in places that receive rainfall.
Eastern Region. No locusts were reported in the region during February. Low numbers of adults are likely to appear in parts of Baluchistan in western Pakistan and southeast Iran, and breed on a small scale in areas that receive rainfall. No significant developments are likely.