Locust swarms continue to invade East Africa, UN agency warns

Aerial and ground control operations continue against highly mobile locust swarms in Ethiopia and Kenya, as well as hopper bands and mature swarms in northern Somalia. This is according to the latest desert locust situation update released by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations on Monday.

"In Ethiopia, immature swarms that were previously concentrated along the eastern side of the Harar Highlands in the Oromia region have now spread throughout the region to the east of the Rift Valley. Immature swarms are also moving northwards along the Rift Valley in Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' region," the update said.

"Other swarms remain concentrated between Harar, Jijiga, and Dire Dawa, where at least one swarm was reported copulating. Additional swarms are likely to appear in the Rift Valley south of Adama. The swarms will mature and lay eggs once rains fall."

According to the UN agency, breeding continues in Somalia's northwest and northeast regions where mature swarms and hopper bands are present in areas that received rain from cyclone Gati in late November. Immature swarms also have been observed moving south of the Shebelle River towards Kenya.

"In Kenya, several immature swarms are arriving every day and spreading west throughout northern and central areas. Swarms have now been seen in seven counties compared to four last week. A few swarms are starting to mature. In the southeast, hopper bands are present near Taita Taveta county and on the coast that could form swarms shortly," the UN agency said.

The UN body predicts that as conditions remain dry in some areas, the swarms are expected to disperse throughout southern Ethiopia and north-central Kenya. Any rainfall that occurs in the coming weeks will cause the swarms to mature and lay eggs that will hatch and give rise to hopper bands during February and March.