The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) warned that immature desert locust adults and small swarms have moved out of Mauritania into the Moroccan Sahara, with some spreading into Algeria and a few reaching the Canary Islands.
In its recent Desert Locust Bulletin covering February 2026, the organization noted that mature adult groups also increased in Morocco, where breeding began in several locations, some reaching areas near Agadir.
During February, FAO said that surveys in the south recorded scattered and grouped transiens adults.
In the first part of the month, immature and maturing adults were seen south and east of Tan-Tan.
In the second part, maturing and mature adults were observed copulating northeast of Tan-Tan and south of Guelmim.
In the third part, similar adults were reported from south of Tan-Tan to north of Guelmim and near Sidi Ifni.
By the end of the month, small groups appeared along the coast north of Agadir and north of Taroudant.
FAO reported that Morocco treated nearly 34,537 ha, including 9,400 ha by air, while Algeria treated 12 ha and Mauritania 15 ha.
The bulletin forecasts that small swarms and adult groups in Morocco may continue migrating northward in March, while others may enter Algeria, “where breeding is expected to increase, and new hopper groups and bands may form.”
Breeding is anticipated particularly in the Souss, Massa, and Draa valleys, according to the same report.
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