Meteorological conditions
During the first decade of April, medium to heavy rains fell in the northwest and the central gregarization zones, including Ihosy and in Sakaraha where conditions remained favorable for breeding. The northwest and central transient multiplication zones also enjoyed adequate moisture. However,
Mahafaly Plateau, Belomotra and other gregarization zones experienced moisture deficit during this period.
Locust situation
3rd generation hoppers and bands were observed in the central and southern areas of the multiplication and gregarization zones. Dense populations of adult locusts were also present in the lowlands of Befandriana-Sud and Manombo. Hatching was signaled in Manja region in the central zone.
Increased numbers of adults were noticed on Horombe Plateau in Ankazotelo on the eastern side of Isalo where adults were reported during the 3 rd dekad of March. 1 st -4 th instar hoppers and bands were reported in the central and southern Bekily-Fotadrevo where transient hoppers at 80-150 insects/m² and solitario-transient and transient adults at 2,000-10,000 insects/ha were observed over areas measuring 100 to 600 m² and situation100-1,000 meters apart.
In the Belomotra gregarization zone, high density 1 st -4 th instar transient and rd instar semi-gregarious hoppers and bands were observed. On Mahafaly Plateau, dense mid-size (~600 ha) immature adult swarms were seen moving eastward from Beomby. Locusts were detected on an estimated 60,000 ha in all biotopes, including low savannahs, bushy and wooded areas as well as residues of bush (in Itomboina and on the tray of Ankazomanga).
Medium to high density transient 3 rd -5 th instar hoppers mixed with low to medium density immature adults continued appearing over some 20,000 ha in the south and southeast regions on the coastal lowland in Karimbola.
Hoppers and bands were also reported in Androy and Ambohangy during this period.