Forecast until mid-February 2009

In early December, there was a sharp increase in locust activity in NW Mauritania. As vegetation began to dry out in the Zgueimir area east of Nouakchott, solitarious hoppers concentrated and increased in density (up to 20 locusts/sq. metre), fledged and formed small groups of adults. The infestations, which originated from local breeding during the autumn, were confined to a relatively small area that was difficult to access because of sand dunes.

In order to prevent further grouping