Desert Locust Monitoring in Egypt, Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia in 2025/05(Spatial resolution-500m)

Remote sensing monitoring showed that, in May 2025, desert locusts were primarily distributed in the western regions and the central Nile Valley of Egypt, the northeastern regions of Ethiopia, and the northern and central inland areas of Saudi Arabia, affecting 16.3, 15.2, and 18.3 thousand hectares of vegetation, respectively. Over the next two months, rainfall is expected to remain low across most parts of Egypt. As a result, spring breeding will come to an end, locust populations will continue to decline and a gradual southward migration is anticipated. Localized greening in northeastern and eastern border areas of Ethiopia may create favorable breeding conditions, potentially attracting incoming adult swarms and triggering limited locust activity. However, overall locust levels are expected to remain low. In Saudi Arabia, increased rainfall in inland areas is likely to improve vegetation in regions such as Ha'il, leading to continued adult emergence and small-scale breeding. This period coincides with the main growing and harvest season for food crops in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and the primary planting season for food crops in Ethiopia. Therefore, continuous monitoring of desert locust dynamics remains essential to prevent recurring damage to agricultural and pastoral production.