FAO warns locust plague spreading northward in Morocco

Expansion to Algeria and Detection of Adults in the Canary Islands

In its bulletin released this month, the FAO warned of a resurgence of desert locusts in Morocco. In the Sahara region, the UN agency reports an increase in the number of adult locust groups moving northward. Breeding has resumed, and some adult groups have reached the Canary Islands and Algeria, according to the agency.

The report also confirms the presence of locusts in Mauritania. Moreover, overall control efforts against desert locusts have shown a decline. In February, a total of 34,564 hectares were treated, while in January the affected area expanded to 47,358 hectares.

However, the outlook is not very encouraging. The FAO states:

“Winged groups and small swarms could continue migrating northward into Morocco and Algeria, where breeding may give rise to new groups of larvae and small bands.”

In Morocco, adult groups have also increased and moved north, reproducing in numerous locations, the FAO adds. Some have reached north of Agadir.

Beyond these regions, the Central Region remains concerned about isolated and scattered areas in Sudan, Egypt, and Eritrea. In this context, the FAO stresses the need to “continue studies and control operations” to prevent any further spread of the plague, as reported by Yabiladi.