Alert level increased to “caution” in the Red Sea area
In Desert Locust early warning, vigilance is critical, particularly on the Red Sea coastal plains where a Desert Locust outbreak developed in Eritrea in December 2006, FAO says. Locust numbers continued to increase along the coast between Massawa and the Sudanese border during January. Recently infestations have also been reported in adjacent coastal areas in Sudan.
Other countries along the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden could face important locust infestations this winter because of unusually good rains and favourable ecological conditions.
Small-scale breeding is in progress in coastal areas of Saudi Arabia and Yemen, and reports of locust concentrations on the northwest coast of Somalia have been received by FAO.
In Eritrea and Sudan a second generation of breeding is underway that could cause locusts to rapidly increase in number.
"When vegetation begins to dry out, these locusts may form hopper bands and swarms that could move to neighbouring countries", said FAO expert Keith Cressman.
FAO is closely monitoring the situation as continuing rains could lead to further deterioration and greater threat to the countries around the Red Sea in April/May.
Control operations
http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2007/1000503/index.html
In Desert Locust early warning, vigilance is critical, particularly on the Red Sea coastal plains where a Desert Locust outbreak developed in Eritrea in December 2006, FAO says. Locust numbers continued to increase along the coast between Massawa and the Sudanese border during January. Recently infestations have also been reported in adjacent coastal areas in Sudan.
Other countries along the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden could face important locust infestations this winter because of unusually good rains and favourable ecological conditions.
Small-scale breeding is in progress in coastal areas of Saudi Arabia and Yemen, and reports of locust concentrations on the northwest coast of Somalia have been received by FAO.
In Eritrea and Sudan a second generation of breeding is underway that could cause locusts to rapidly increase in number.
"When vegetation begins to dry out, these locusts may form hopper bands and swarms that could move to neighbouring countries", said FAO expert Keith Cressman.
FAO is closely monitoring the situation as continuing rains could lead to further deterioration and greater threat to the countries around the Red Sea in April/May.
Control operations
http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2007/1000503/index.html