Desert Locusts to Increase in in Western Eritrea and Yemen in Next Two Months | No.58 Report of Monitoring and Assessment of Desert Locust in Africa and Asia Issued by AIRI-CAS and CBCGDF

On July 26, 2024, No.58 Report of Monitoring and Assessment of Desert Locust in Africa and Asia was jointly released by the Team of Prof. Huang Wenjiang, Associate Prof. Dong Yingying from Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF). 

 

Integrated with multi-source Earth Observation data, e.g. meteorological data, field data, and remote sensing data (such as MODIS in the US, etc), and self-developed models and algorithms for Desert Locust monitoring and forecasting, the research team constructed the‘Vegetation pests and diseases monitoring and forecasting system’, which could regularly release thematical maps and reports on Desert Locust.

 

The remote sensing monitoring results showed that, in June 2024, desert locusts were primarily found in the western region of Eritrea, the northern inland and western coastal areas of the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia, and the western region of Yemen. These areas experienced significant threats to vegetation, impacting 10.1 thousand hectares, 14.4 thousand hectares, and 29.8 thousand hectares, respectively. It is anticipated that, over the next two months, increased cyclone activity will bring abundant rainfall in western Eritrea and Yemen. This will create favorable conditions for desert locusts to lay eggs and reproduce, leading to an increase in their numbers. Meanwhile, locusts within Saudi Arabia are expected to migrate southward to the inland areas of Yemen, resulting in a decrease in the locust population within Saudi Arabia.

 

In June 2024, desert locusts were primarily found in the western inland regions of Eritrea, where abundant rainfall fostered robust vegetation growth. These favorable conditions facilitated the egg-laying and reproduction of desert locusts, leading to a further increase in their population. The monitoring results showed that in June, the total damaged vegetation area in Eritrea was 10.1 thousand hectares. Gash Barka experienced the most extensive impact, with 7.7 thousand hectares of vegetation affected.

In June 2024, Saudi Arabia experienced minimal rainfall, creating unfavorable conditions for desert locust oviposition and reproduction. This，Combined with the effects of control actions, led to a decline in the desert locust population in the region. The monitoring results showed that in June, the total damaged vegetation area was 14.4 thousand hectares in Saudi Arabia.Ha'il experienced the most extensive impacts, with 8.5 thousand hectares of vegetation affected.

In June 2024, desert locusts were primarily distributed in the western coastal and inland regions of the Red Sea in Yemen, where abundant rainfall and favorable vegetation growth provided conducive conditions for locust oviposition and reproduction. The monitoring results showed that in June, the total damaged vegetation area was 29.8 thousand hectares in Yemen.Al Hudaydah experienced the most significant impact, with 9.4 thousand hectares of vegetation affected, followed by San'ā, with 9.0 thousand hectares.

 

The comprehensive analysis shows that, in the next two months, increased cyclone activity will lead to abundant rainfall in western Eritrea and Yemen, creating favorable conditions for desert locusts to lay eggs and reproduce, resulting in an increase in their numbers. Meanwhile, locusts within Saudi Arabia are projected to migrate southward to the inland areas of Yemen, causing a decrease in the locust population within Saudi Arabia.

 

CBCGDF has always been contributing to this study and the series report aims to help developing countries in Asia and Africa fight invasive species and safeguard food security. The results of the report have been shared with developing countries in Southeast Asia and Africa for free, helping them improve their capability to control the impacts of desert locusts.

 

[Download the report:]

http://en.rscrop.com/Private/NewsImgs/638576152830151325180233076.pdf

 

Translator: Sara

Checked by: Daisy

Editor: Sara    

Contact: v10@cbcgdf.org; +8617319454776

 

 

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