LOCUST BULLETIN No. 24 FAO - Plant Production and Protection Division (AGPM) 15 August 2013 Situation level: THREAT for the three locust pests in Russia Situation level: CAUTION for the three locust pests in Kazakhstan and for the Italian Locust (CIT) in Georgia and Tajikistan Situation level: CALM elsewhere General Situation during July 2013 Forecast until mid-september 2013 The situation improved in July as a result of intense and large-scale control operations. In addition, with fledging of the three locust pests, the 2013 locust campaign came to an end in most Caucasian and Central Asian (CCA) countries. However, the situation remained serious in the Russian Federation, where almost 1.3 million hectares (ha) were treated, as well as in Kazakhstan, where a large part of the Italian (CIT) and Asian Migratory Locust (LMI) populations was gregarious. Control operations were carried out on large part of the CIT and LMI populations were characterized as gregarious and an LMI swarm was observed close to the Caspian Sea. Almost 1.7 million ha were treated against the three locust pests. Weather and Ecological Conditions in July 2013 Warm to very hot weather prevailed throughout Caucasus and Central Asia. Rain fell at times except in Georgia where the whole 2nd half of the month was rainy. Natural vegetation was mostly dry. 1.7 million hectares (ha). During the forecast period, the three locust pests will progressively disappear. In Caucasus, warm and dry weather prevailed except in Georgia, where it rained during the 2 nd half of July. The natural vegetation was dry everywhere. Caucasus. Moroccan Locust (DMA) egg-laying continued in Azerbaijan and in Georgia. CIT egglaying started in Georgia while hopper development was in progress in Armenia. Control operations were carried out on almost 6,000 ha..central Asia. DMA mating and egg-laying occurred in all concerned countries. CIT egg-laying started in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia. LMI fledging started in Kazakhstan and Russia. In Kazakhstan, a In Armenia, July is considered the hottest month and the weather was indeed mostly hot with occasional thunderstorms and hail in all regions. The average temperature was normal with little variations of 1/2 C. Temperatures ranged from 12/15 C to 38/40 C in the lowlands, from 8/13 C to 29/35 C at foothills and from 5/9 C to 27/32 C in mountainous areas, which represented an increase of 2/6 C as compared to the previous month. Relative humidity was of 60-80% at 1
the foothills and in mountainous areas while it did not exceed 60% in the lowlands. Agricultural work continued during the month but was sometimes hampered by the rains. Mass fruit harvesting was in progress in the lowlands. The natural vegetation was mostly green in all regions with a thick cover in lowand highlands. In Azerbaijan, the weather was mostly warm in July. The average temperature was of 36/38 C, with peaks of 40/42 C, representing an increase of 6/10 C as compared to the previous month. South-easterly and north-westerly winds prevailed at speeds ranging from 3 to 5-7 m/s and up to 18-20 m/s in gusts. These weather conditions were suitable for adult maturation and egg-laying. Natural vegetation was sparse and dry in all traditional locust habitats. Cultivation was mainly mature and winter crops were harvested. In Georgia, dry and hot weather prevailed during the 1st half of July with average temperature of 37/40 C and sometimes more, an increase of more than 8 C compared with June. A long rainy period started after the 18th of July and temperatures dropped to 22/25 C. The vegetation was dry with a medium cover. In Central Asia, warm and dry weather prevailed but rains fell at times in Kazakhstan and Russia. In Afghanistan, the weather was very warm with the highest temperatures registered in Bamyan (30 C) and Jalalabad (45 C) provinces. No rainfall occurred and the vegetation was drying out or dry. In Kazakhstan, warm weather prevailed. In the South, the weather was hot and dry with some occasional rain. The average daily temperatures ranged from 23.5 to 28 C with maximum up to 40 C, and minimum night temperature of 12 C in the mountains close to Almaty. Relative humidity varied from 20 to 72%. North and north-east winds prevailed at a speed of 1-9 m/s. In the East, the weather was characterized by cloudy days followed by warm and sunny days, and some with a minimum of 9 C and a maximum of 38 C, which represented an increase of 6 C compared to June. Relative humidity was of 63.5%. The winds were variable, with north-westerly and north-easterly prevailing at a speed of 1-7 m/s. In the West, the weather was hot with some cloudy spells and some rainfall. Average day temperatures ranged from 20.5 to 27.1 C with a minimum of 11 C and a maximum of 36.8 C. The relative humidity varied from 34 to 48%. The wind direction was variable but south-westerly and south-easterly winds prevailed at a speed of 1-6 m/s. In the North, the weather was characterized by partly cloudy days followed by warm sunny days and some rainy periods. The average day temperatures ranged from 17.7 C to 21.3 C, with a minimum of 8 C and a maximum of 29 C. The relative humidity was of 52-98%. Northerly- and south-westerly winds prevailed at a speed of 1-13 m/s and up to 14-33 m/s in gusts. In Kyrgyzstan, warm and dry weather prevailed. The average monthly temperature was normal or slightly above average throughout the country with an increase of at least 4 C as compared to June. In the northern regions, it was of 23-26 C, ranging from 16-18 C to 25-31 C during the 1st half of the month and from 18-21 to 31-36 C during the 2nd half. The monthly rainfall (16-35 mm) was below normal. In the southern regions, the average monthly temperature was of 26-32 C, ranging from 18/21 C to 28/32 C during the 1st half of the month and from 20-22 to 34-38 C during the 2nd half. The rainfall (29-46 mm) was above normal. Relative humidity was of 56-63%. Maximum soil temperature ranged from 56 to 76 C at the surface and from 24 to 32 C at a depth of 10 cm. The maximum wind speed was of 12.4 m/s. The vegetation was dry with a height of 1-5 cm and a medium cover rainy periods. Average day temperature was of 21.5 C 2
In the Russian Federation, hot weather prevailed with some local rains. In the southern areas of the Central Federal District (FD), the weather was hot (average of 22-26 C) with patchy rainstorms; humidity ranged from 54 to 63%. In North Caucasus and Southern FDs, the weather was hot with average daily temperature ranging from 21.9 to 36 C and torrential rainfall. The average humidity ranged from 35 to 52%. In the Volga FD, the average daily temperature ranged from 23 to 28 C. Rain fell locally. The average humidity ranged from 41 to 70%. In the Siberian FD, the weather was hot and dry with average temperature of 19-28 C and local rain. In Tajikistan, very hot weather prevailed with temperatures higher by 2-4 C as compared to July 2012. At the foothills, the minimum daily temperature was as high as 38-44 C, reaching up to 44-48 C in the South with an average temperature of more than 45 C during the last days of the month. The night temperature was of 20-28 C. This unusual hot weather contributed to the early maturation of fruit and vegetable and the harvest continued. Forecast from the national meteorological centre indicate that August should also be 2-6 C warmer than in previous years. In Uzbekistan, the weather was a very hot with average temperatures of 43-46 C during the day and of 30-32 C at night. The natural vegetation is dry. Locust Situation and Forecast (see also the summary on page 1 and maps on last page) CAUCASUS Armenia In July, only patchy distribution of scattered CIT hoppers was observed, at a density generally not exceeding the economical threshold. Therefore, control operations against State budget were not required. Locally, households carried out some limited treatments. No mass distribution or large populations of CIT is expected. Should local infestations occur, control operations will be undertaken. No threat from the two other locust pests is likely unless they arrive from the neighboring countries. Azerbaijan In July, ground chemical control operations were carried out against DMA adult populations until 22 July in the Kudirin plains (centre-south) only. Pyrethroids in low-volume formulation (200-400 litres/ha) were used by tractor-sprayers and the efficiency was of 85-90%. Area Treated in June 2013 Afghanistan 772 ha Azerbaijan non available Georgia 5,599 ha Kazakhstan 368,953 ha Kyrgyzstan 4,769 ha Russia 1,299,910 ha Tajikistan 6,738 ha Control operations had come to an end in the other traditional locust outbreak areas. In all these places, intense oviposition was observed. Warm weather will speed up egg-laying, which will be completed before the end of the forecast period and followed by natural mortality of the DMA adult populations. Uzbekistan 13,000 ha Georgia During surveys carried out in July on 45,000 ha, CIT 3
5th instar hoppers and adults as well as egg-laying were observed. At the end of the month, mainly CIT adults were present. Control operations were stopped on 18 July because of a long rainy period unsuitable for treatments. A total of 5,599 ha were treated of which 2,539 ha in Kakheti region (999 ha by ground and 1,540 ha by air), 2,810 ha in Kvemo Kartli and 250 ha in Shida Kartli, which represented less than half of the area treated in June. In total, 21,115 ha were treated during the 2013 locust campaign, of which 6,810 ha by air. CIT egg-laying will continue and come to an end during the forecast period. No further development is expected this year. CENTRAL ASIA Afghanistan In July, DMA mating and egg-laying were observed. Ground control operations continued against DMA infestations in two provinces only, Badakhstan (in the north-east) and Ghor (in the centre-west), where 772 ha were treated. As a whole, a total of 174,901 ha were treated in 14 provinces in the northern half of the country, namely Badakhstan, Badghis, Baghlan, Balkh, Faryab, Ghor, Herat, Kabul, Kunduz, Logar, Parwan, Samangan, Sar-i-pul and Takhar, representing a decrease of 12% compared to 2012. DMA adults will progressively disappear. Kazakhstan Monitoring of DMA mating and egg-laying was completed by 18 July. Natural death was observed since 5 June in South Kazakhstan and started during the 1 st decade of July in Zhambyl. During this monitoring, a total of more than 1 million ha was surveyed, of which almost 22% (221,940 ha) were found infested with up to 5 adults/m² on 104,790 ha, up to 10 adults/m² on 95,780 ha and more than 10 adults/m² on 21,370 ha. In the North, CIT fledging began on 4-15 July, with mass fledging occurring on 24 July, followed by mating on 16-29 July. A migration of CIT hoppers and adults was observed from Akmola to Kostanay provinces. In North Kazakhstan, three different areas were found infested by CIT during the 3 rd decade: at a density of 8-10 adults/m² on 200 ha in old fallow land on 22 July; at a density of 3-5 adults/m² on 6,400 ha on 29 July; and at a density of 3-5 locusts/m² on 11,293 ha, of which almost 60% above the economical threshold. In the South, mating and egg-laying started during the 2 nd decade of July and density of 3-15 adults/m² was observed. In the West, mating started during the 1 st decade of July followed by egg-laying during the next decade. Based on morphometric measures, it was possible to establish that the gregarious phase represented 17.5 to 80% of the population, the transiens one 14 to 69.7% and the solitary one 6 to 32%. Males represented 59% of the whole population. In Aktobe, a density of 85-1,600 eggpods/m² was observed. As a whole, CIT hopper monitoring covered 12,396,820 ha of which 4,287,033 ha were infested (up to 5 hoppers/m² on 1,060,625 ha, up to 10 hoppers/m² on 1,559,158 ha and more than 10 hoppers/m² on 1,667,250 ha). More than 3,2 million ha were treated against CIT of which 313,783 ha in July. CIT mating and egg-laying monitoring covered 3,165,870 ha, of which 779,670 ha infested (up to 5 adults/m² on 305,650 ha, up to 10 adults/m² on 280,100 ha and more than 10 adults/m² on 139,920 ha). In the North, 2 nd to 5 th LMI hopper instars were present with prevalence of the 4 th instar (45% of the hopper population) in Kostanai on 20 July and of 3 rd instar (30-35%) in Akmola on the 25 th. The density ranged from 0.0.3 to 8 hoppers/m². In the South, 4
fledging started on 16 July. The average density was of 200-500 adults/ha and the highest one (1,100 adults/ha) was observed in Almaty area. In Zhambyl, 3 rd to 5 th instar hoppers and adults were present, with prevalence of the 4 th instar (53%) and adults representing already 11% of the LMI population. In the West, fledging started on 3-16 July and flights formed from 12 July. Mating and egg-laying were observed during the 2 nd and 3 rd decades of July. In egg-laying areas of West Kazakhstan, the density reached 100/150 adults/m². Based on morphometric measures, it was possible to establish that the gregarious phase represented 31 to 92% of the population, the transiens one 5 to 36% and the solitary one 3 to 33%. In Atyrau, a swarm of 10km x 1km was observed on 19 July flying towards the islands of the Caspian Sea. As a whole, LMI hopper monitoring covered 3,220,490 ha, of which 547,615 ha infested (up to 5 hoppers/m² on 194,505 ha, up to 10 hoppers/m² on 240,730 ha and more than 10 hoppers/m² on 112,380 ha). A total of 353,110 ha were treated, of which 55,170 ha in July. LMI mating and egg-laying monitoring covered 410,150 ha of which 38,120 ha were infested (up to 5 adults/m² on 19,070 ha, up to 10 adults/m² on 6,890 ha and more than 10 adults/m² on 12,200 ha). A total of 3,692,098 ha were treated against the three locust pests since the beginning of control campaign. DMA will disappear in South Kazakhstan and Zhambyl. CIT mating and egg-laying will continue in the North and the West, start in early August in the East and occur from the 2nd week of August in the centre, and be followed by natural disappearance. LMI hopper development will come to an end and fledging will occur in the North; in the South and the West, mating and egg-laying will occur and the adults will start disappearing. Kyrgyzstan In July, control operations continued in Naryn where 4,769 ha were treated against CIT infestations. As a whole during the campaign, 84,336 ha were surveyed, of which 57,351 ha infested by DMA and CIT at a density ranging from 2 to 60 locusts/m² in 6 provinces and 55,991 ha required control operations. A total of 53,731 ha were treated. Mixed DMA and CIT infestations, with prevalence of CIT, were present Batken, Jalal-Abad and Osh, which made the control operations difficult. In these three areas 11,695 ha, 21,500 ha (of which 6,900 ha by air), and 4,980 ha were treated respectively. In Chui, 1,340 ha were treated against DMA. In Naryn and Talas, 13,116 and 1,100 ha were respectively treated against CIT. DMA and CIT adults will disappear during the forecast period. In 2014, it is expected that DMA will be present in the South and in parts of Chui and Talas over an area of 22,500 ha. CIT will be mainly present in its traditional areas of Naryn, Talas and Chui but also in the southern parts of the country, where its distribution is extending. It is expected that infestations will cover more than 42,500 ha. Russian Federation In July, DMA adults only were present and mass egg-laying occurred. CIT hoppers fledged and egglaying started. LMI was at the adult stage. The density was of 2-15 imagos/m² in Central Federal District (FD), 15-18 imagos/m² in Southern FD, 51-700 imagos/m² in North Caucasus FD, 7-450 imagos/m² in Volga FD and 10-525 imagos/m² in Siberian FD. The density of the remaining hopper populations ranged from 9 to more than 600 nymphs/m² (highest density in the Volga FD). A total of 1,299,910 ha were sprayed (35% more 5
than in June), of which 5,100 ha in the Central FD, 171,610 ha in the Southern FD, 202,620 ha in North Caucasus FD and 815,540 ha in the Volga FD. DMA will progressively disappear. CIT egg-laying will continue and LMI mating and egg-laying will start. recede from currently flooded areas. Announcements Locust warning levels. A colour-coded scheme indicates the seriousness of the current situation for Tajikistan The locust campaign came to an end in July. From 28 June to 19 July, 6,738 ha were treated, mainly along the borders with Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. As a whole, 105,754 ha were treated in 2013, of which 56,355 ha in Khatlon, 11,900 ha in RRS, 36,019 ha in Sughd and 1,480 ha in Badakhshan. No further development is expected and locusts will progressively disappear. Egg-laying survey will continue during the forecast period. each of the three main locust pests: green for calm, yellow for caution, orange for threat and red for danger. The scheme is applied to the Locust Watch web page dedicated to the current locust situation ( Locust situation now! ) and to the regional monthly bulletin header. The levels indicate the perceived risk or threat of current locust infestations to crops and appropriate actions are suggested for each level. Locust reporting. During calm (green) periods, countries should report at least once/month and send standardized information using the national monthly bulletin template. During caution (yellow), threat (orange) and danger (red) periods, often associated Turkmenistan No bulletin was received for July. No development is expected. with locust outbreaks and upsurges, updates should be sent at least once/week. Affected countries are also encouraged to prepare decadal bulletins summarizing the situation. All information should be sent by e-mail to Annie.Monard@fao.org. Monthly information received by the 5 th of each month will be included in Uzbekistan Treatments against DMA were completed. Control operations continued against CIT along irrigation ditches, canals and reservoirs at a daily rate of 25-30 ha and 13,000 ha were treated. LMI surveys were hampered as many areas were still under water. As a whole, since the beginning of the locust campaign, 335,000 ha were treated, of which 230,000 ha against DMA, 73,000 ha against CIT and 32,000 ha against LMI. During the forecast period, DMA and CIT will complete their life-cycle and eventually disappear. More LMI hatching will occur until August as water will the CCA Locust Bulletin to be issued by mid-month; otherwise, it will not appear until the next bulletin. Reports should be sent even if no locusts were found or if no surveys were conducted. July 2013 events and activities. The following activities occurred or were ongoing: Meeting of FAO Experts on 1-2 July at FAO Headquarters with H. Van der Valk to discuss future for actions on reducing the risks associated to locust control on human health and the environment (Result 5 of the Five-year Programme on locusts in CCA). Conventional pesticide delivered in Tajikistan through the national FAO project. Purchase order raised for Kyrgyzstan through the national FAO project. 6
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