Outbreak continues in Mauritania and could develop in Sudan
A Desert Locust outbreak continues in western Mauritania where groups of mature adults are present, and egg-laying and hatching are underway, causing early instar hopper groups and small bands to form. Ground control operations are in progress and have treated nearly 6,500 ha since the beginning of the campaign.
In Morocco, solitarious adults are present in the Adrar Settouf area of the extreme south as well as further north along the southern side of the Atlas Mountains.
During November, locusts will decline in southeast Mauritania as a few remaining groups form and move to the northwest where they will supplement egg-laying that started during the last week of September. Second-generation hatching that commenced in early October will continue during November, giving rise to hopper groups and bands throughout October and November. Fledging is expected to commence during the second week of November and continue during December, giving rise to immature adult groups and swarms from about mid-November onwards. Seasonal rainfall predictions suggest slightly above average rainfall in November and December that should allow the continuation of favourable conditions for locust breeding and survival. Some of the infestations are likely to extend to adjacent areas of southern Morocco.
In Sudan, groups of gregarious late instar hoppers are forming in North Kordofan and hopper bands formed northwest of Khartoum in the Baiyuda Desert. Groups of hoppers and immature adults were also seen further east near Kassala. Control operations are in progress and have treated at least 500 ha so far. As vegetation dries out, more groups, bands and perhaps a few small swarms are expected to form and move to the winter breeding areas.
Elsewhere, small-scale breeding continues in parts of northern Niger where small grops are present, and locust infestations are declining in Chad