Desert Locust In Libya

Faraj Mohamed Karra , National Committee for Desert Locust Control, Libya.

Abstract

Libya is considered as one of the countries which is subject to Desert Locust (Schistocerca gregaria) invasions, and last invasion was in 1988. This pest can reach Libya through several entry points located in the west, southwest and south regions. Libya has made an effort to limit the danger of this pest by establishing an independent body to be responsible for monitoring invasion and the local breeding areas in addition to organizing and supervising the control campaign during the invasion, in addition to surveys. The National Committee for Desert Locust Control and its branches of control centers are distributed in the areas considered as important entry points and breeding areas. Migration is one of the characters of Desert Locust, which permits it to migrate from one country to another and from one region to another. This character necessitates activating the international, regional and bilateral cooperation agencies. Libya is an active member of the International Committee for Desert Locust Control (DLCC), the Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the Western Region (CLCPRO) and the EMPRES project. In addition, Libya is well represented in international and regional conferences, seminars and workshops, with several bilateral agreements with the neighboring countries aiming at surveying and controlling Desert Locust.