Desert Locust Bulletin 557: Outbreaks and Forecasts for March 2025

Desert Locust outbreaks persisted in northern Sudan and southern Sahara during February 2025, with swarms and groups remaining in several areas. Forecasts indicate spring breeding will commence soon, necessitating control operations in impacted regions. The FAO/DLIS will monitor the situation closely and provide regular updates.

In February 2025, Desert Locust outbreaks continued to affect northern Sudan and the southern Sahara. During the winter months, although locust populations diminished along the Red Sea coast from Eritrea to Egypt, adult groups and swarms remained prevalent in the Nile Valley of northern Sudan and southern Egypt. Newly formed hopper groups and bands were observed along the northern coast of Saudi Arabia, while various adult groups persisted in Niger and southern Libya, with small swarms noted in northern Chad and isolated adults in Morocco. Control operations during this period were lower than January’s figures.

Forecasting the coming months, spring breeding is anticipated to begin among adult groups and swarms, mainly near irrigated crop areas along the Nile Valley of northern Sudan and southern Egypt, as well as from coastal regions. In Saudi Arabia, locust movements from the Red Sea coast toward the interior are expected to prompt a new generation of spring breeding. In Algeria and Libya, an increase in locust numbers is foreseen due to laying, hatching, and the formation of hopper groups and bands, while some locusts may persist in northern Niger and Chad or migrate northward. Small-scale breeding is also likely to occur in Morocco, necessitating continued control efforts in these areas. No significant developments are forecasted for the Eastern Region.

The Desert Locust Bulletin 557 indicates ongoing outbreaks in specific regions, particularly northern Sudan and the southern Sahara. Spring breeding is expected to begin soon, which may lead to an increase in locust populations in various countries. Continued control operations will be essential to manage these outbreaks effectively. The FAO/DLIS will provide ongoing monitoring and alerts concerning this situation.

Original Source: reliefweb.int