1. SUMMARY

The Desert Locust situation improved during January with locust populations reaching only insignificant levels in Mauritania and on the western side of the Red Sea. No control operations were required in central and western Mauritania where an outbreak had occurred during the past few months. Although conditions remain favourable along both sides of the Red Sea, no breeding has been detected so far. Unless unusually heavy rains occur in northern Mauritania or along the Red Sea coast, the situation is expected to remain calm during the forecast period.

Western Region. Locust numbers declined in central and western Mauritania during January where only scattered adults and hoppers are now present. Although another generation of breeding is in progress as a result of favourable conditions that have persisted longer than expected, the number of adults and hoppers remain low. Scattered adults have moved into northern Mauritania from the earlier outbreak areas and limited breeding is in progress there in at least one location. Late reports from Mali indicate that hopper bands mixed with adults were present in December and January at several places in the north near the Algerian border. There was also an unconfirmed report of similar infestations in southern Algeria. Additional adults may move into northern Mauritania and southern Algeria from northern Mali during periods of warm southerly winds. No locusts were reported from other countries in the Region.

Central Region. Scattered adults are present on the Red Sea coastal plains of Sudan and south-eastern Egypt as well as in a few cropping areas near Lake Nasser, Egypt. Although those in Sudan were seen laying, so far no hoppers have been reported. Conditions are likely to be favourable in parts of the Red Sea coastal plains of Eritrea, Saudi Arabia and Yemen but no reports have been received and probably no surveys carried out. The absence of surveys is potentially risky but the locust situation in these countries is most likely similar to that of Sudan.

Eastern Region. No locusts were reported in Iran, Pakistan and India. A few adults may appear in spring breeding areas of Baluchistan, Pakistan and start to lay on a small scale in areas of recent rainfall. No significant developments are likely.

2. WEATHER & ECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN JANUARY 2001

Very little rain fell during January in the Desert Locust recession area apart from some showers on the eastern coast of the Red Sea. Nevertheless, breeding conditions remain favourable from earlier rainfall in parts of northern Mauritania and in some areas along both sides of the Red Sea.

In West Africa, no significant rainfall was reported during January for the second consecutive month. Several depressions moved eastward across the Mediterranean. A few of the stronger ones interrupted the prevailing northerly and north-easterly winds over locust breeding areas, causing the winds to come from the south and south-east. This was most evident over western and northern Mauritania on the 21st. Cool temperatures prevailed throughout the Region. In Mauritania, maximum and minimum temperatures were 20-30°C and 9-15°C respectively. Breeding conditions were generally unfavourable except for a few limited areas near Atar and Zouerate in central and northern Mauritania. Localized patches of green vegetation were reported in a few places of the northern Adrar des Iforas, Mali.

In North-West Africa, no significant rainfall was reported during January. The month was characterized by a dominant high pressure system that oscillated between Algeria and Libya. Occasionally, this was interrupted by a few strong low pressure systems over the Mediterranean causing the prevailing northerly and north-easterly winds to shift and come from the south. This was most evident over southern Algeria on 12-14 January and again on the 29th. Cool temperatures were common in most areas. In the central Sahara of Algeria, maximum and minimum temperatures were 16-27°C and 2-11°C, respectively. Conditions were dry in the Region except for a few small wadis in the northern part of Tassili N’Ajjer, Algeria, where green vegetation continued to be present.

In Eastern Africa, no significant rainfall was reported along the Red Sea coastal plains or in the interior. A few traces fell on the Red Sea coastal plains of Sudan at Khor Gowb at the end of the month. Nevertheless, conditions are favourable for breeding in a few areas along the coast in Sudan between Port Sudan and Tokar, in Egypt between Abu Ramad and Halaib and perhaps in Eritrea between Massawa and Karora. Dry conditions were reported in eastern Ethiopia.

In the Near East, light rains fell on the northern Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia during the first week of January and on the southern coast near Jizan at the end of the month. Heavier rains were reported during the same periods on the Red Sea coastal plains of Yemen from Hodeidah to the Saudi Arabian border. As rains have fallen in these areas for the past few months, conditions continue to be favourable for breeding within a long stretch of coastal plains from Hodeidah to Jeddah. Widespread light to moderate showers fell over the Persian Gulf in early January which extended to the northern coast of Oman. In the latter, conditions may be improving but additional rainfall may be required for breeding.

In South-West Asia, light showers fell in northern Baluchistan, Iran (Zahedan, 13 mm) and in Karachi, Pakistan. Breeding conditions are likely to be improving in a few areas of Baluchistan, Pakistan, primarily near Turbat and Jiwani, from good rainfall received during December. Dry conditions prevailed in India.

3. AREA TREATED

No control operations were reported during January.

4. DESERT LOCUST SITUATION AND FORECAST

Mauritania

- Situation

During January, there was a decline in the number of infested areas and in the locust densities in central and western Mauritania where locusts were present during December. In early January, another generation of breeding was in progress in the interdunal areas south of Atar (2032N/1308W) where solitarious and transiens adults, at densities up to 1,500 per ha, were seen copulating and first instar hoppers were reported until the 23rd. The first instar hopper densities were low except for one location where 7 hoppers per sq. m. were seen on 40 ha on the 18th. By the end of the month, adult densities had declined to 700 per ha. New reports from the north of scattered maturing solitarious adults at several places between Zouerate (2244N1221W) and Bir Moghrein (2510N/1135W) confirm that there was a small scale movement northwards from the infested areas near Atar. This movement almost certainly commenced in November and continued at times over the next few months during periods of warm southerly winds. Limited laying probably occurred in November with hatching in December as suggested by a single report of isolated fourth and fifth instar hoppers north-east of Zouerate on 30 January. No control operations were carried out during January.

- Forecast

Breeding is likely to continue on a limited basis in the north between Zouerate and Bir Moghrein and in southern Adrar near Atar. Hopper maturation is expected to be delayed by cool temperatures in these areas. Locust numbers may increase slightly in Tiris Zemmour once adults arrive from southern Adrar which should occur when temperatures increase from the end of February onwards and when there are periods of warm southerly winds. Additional adults could also appear from northern Mali at this time.

Mali

- Situation

A late report indicated that late instar hopper bands mixed with adults were present throughout December at five locations in the northern Adrar des Iforas near Tadjilit (1930N/0237E), Amsir (1959N/0145E), and In-Tillit (2050N/0112E).

The same situation continued during January in the extreme north of the Adrar des Iforas near the Algerian border.

- Forecast

Low numbers of adults are likely to persist in a few wadis of the Adrar des Iforas and perhaps in the Timetrine area. Some of these could move northwards during periods of warm southerly winds.

Niger

- Situation

No reports received.

- Forecast

A few isolated adults may be present in parts of the Air. No significant developments are expected.

Chad

- Situation

No reports received.

- Forecast

No significant developments are likely.

Senegal

- Situation

No reports received.

- Forecast

No significant developments are likely.

Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, and Guinea Conakry

- Forecast

No significant developments are likely.

Algeria

- Situation

Although no locusts were reported during January, there was one unconfirmed report of high densities of hoppers and adults in the south near Silet (2240N/0434E).

- Forecast

A few hoppers and adults may be present in the south near Tamanrasset and perhaps Djanet. Additional adults could appear from northern Mali during periods of warm southerly winds.

Morocco

- Situation

No locusts were reported during January.

- Forecast

Low numbers of locusts may be present in parts of the extreme south-west where small scale breeding could occur if rains recently fell.

Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

- Situation

No locusts were seen during surveys carried out in the extreme south-east near Jebel Uweinat (2156N/2452E) on 18-22 January.

- Forecast

No significant developments are likely.

Tunisia

- Situation

No reports received.

- Forecast

No significant developments are likely.

Sudan

- Situation

During the first half of January, scattered adults, at densities up to 150 per ha, were seen laying in cropping areas associated with the main wadis along the Red Sea coast between Suakin and Tokar Delta: K. Gowb (1902N/3721E) and K. Ashat (1844N/3728E), and from Suakin to Port Sudan at Hosheri (1918N/3717E) and Handob (1914N/2716E). No surveys were undertaken during the second half of the month.

- Forecast

Low numbers of hoppers and adults will persist in a few areas along the Red Sea coastal plains from Port Sudan to Karora and perhaps in subcoastal areas of Wadi Oko/Diib. Breeding is expected to come to an end by March unless further rains fall.

Eritrea

- Situation

No Desert Locusts were seen during aerial surveys on 4 and 6 December along the Red Sea coastal plains between Mahmimet (1740N/3832E) and Marsa Fatima (1452N/4018E). No reports were received during January.

- Forecast

Low numbers of solitarious adults are likely to be present and breeding on a small scale in a few areas along the Red Sea coastal plains between Tio and Karora where rains have fallen or runoff has occurred. Consequently, locust numbers will gradually increase during the forecast period but no significant developments are likely.

Somalia

- Situation

No reports received

- Forecast

Low numbers of adults are likely to be present and breeding in a few areas along the coast and on the escarpment where ecological conditions are favourable. No significant developments are likely.

Ethiopia

- Situation

No locusts were reported during January in the Dire Dawa and Jigjiga areas.

- Forecast

No significant developments are likely.

Djibouti

- Situation

No surveys were carried out during January.

- Forecast

No significant developments are likely.

Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda

- Forecast

No significant developments are likely.

Saudi Arabia

- Situation

No reports received

- Forecast

Low numbers of solitarious adults are likely to be present and breeding on a small scale in a few places along the Red Sea coast between Jeddah and Jizan. Consequently, locust numbers will slowly increase during the forecast period. Regular surveys are suggested to monitor the situation.

Yemen

- Situation

No surveys were carried out during January.

- Forecast

Low numbers of solitarious adults are expected to be present and breeding on a small scale in a few places of the Red Sea coastal plains in areas of recent rainfall. Consequently, locust numbers will slowly increase during the forecast period. Regular surveys are suggested to monitor the situation.

Egypt

- Situation

During January, isolated immature adults were reported in a few cropping areas along Lake Nasser and near Tushka (2247N/3126E) as well as in several wadis along the south-eastern Red Sea coastal plains between Abu Ramad (2224N/3624E) and Halaib (2212N/3635E) and in subcoastal areas near Wadi Diib.

- Forecast

Low numbers of adults will continue to persist and mature in a few places along the Red Sea coastal plains between Shalatyn and Halaib as well as in subcoastal areas. Small scale breeding is expected to occur in those areas that received rainfall in December. Scattered adults may persist in cropping areas near Lake Nasser.

Kuwait

- Situation

No reports received.

- Forecast

No significant developments are likely.

Oman

- Situation

No locusts were seen during surveys were carried out in January in the northern interior.

- Forecast

No significant developments are likely.

United Arab Emirates

- Situation

No reports received.

- Forecast

No significant developments are likely.

Bahrain, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Qatar, Syria Arab Republic and Turkey

- Forecast

No significant developments are likely.

Iran

- Situation

No locusts were seen during surveys carried out in January near Busheir and on the south-eastern coastal plains near Chabahar.

- Forecast

A few isolated adults may start to appear in coastal areas near Chabahar. No significant developments are likely.

Pakistan

- Situation

No locusts were reported during the second half of December and during the first half of January.

- Forecast

A few isolated adults may appear in coastal areas of Baluchistan and start to lay on a small scale in areas of recent rainfall. No significant developments are likely.

India

- Situation

No locusts were reported during January.

- Forecast

No significant developments are likely.

Afghanistan

- Situation

No reports received.

- Forecast

No significant developments are likely.

5. ANNOUNCEMENTS

Locust reporting. Affected countries are kindly reminded to make sure that locust situation reports are sent to FAO HQ by the 25th day of the month so the information can be included in the FAO bulletin for the current month; otherwise, it will not appear until the following month. Reports should be sent even if no locusts were found or if no surveys were conducted.

Reporting by email. Affected countries are encouraged to send completed FAO Desert Locust Survey and Control Forms with a brief interpretation of the results by email to eclo@fao.org.

Jebel Uweinat, Libya. Photos of the recent mission to Jebel Uweinat to analyze a Desert Locust outbreak that occurred in early 1999 are available on the internet at: http://www.fao.org/news/global/locusts/libyapix/0101uwnt.htm

Western Region Desert Locust Commission. The 119th session of the FAO Council has approved in November 2000 the establishment of a new FAO Desert Locust Commission for the Western Region which will be composed of nine countries from West and North-West Africa: Algeria, Chad, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Senegal and Tunisia.

EMPRES (Desert Locust) Western Region Programme. A Planning Workshop: EMPRES activities in the Western Region – Phase I: Pledges and operations, will be held in Nouakchott, Mauritania from 10-15 February 2001.

The Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in North-West Africa. The 23rd Session will be held in Algiers, Algeria from 2-7 June 2001.

Desert Locust Control Committee. The 36th Session will be held in Rome from 24-28 September 2001.