Desert Locust Joint Survey in the Spring Breeding Areas of the I.R. Iran and Pakistan. April-May 2011

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1 Desert Locust Joint Survey in the Spring Breeding Areas of the I.R. Iran and Pakistan April-May 2011

2 The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations encourages the dissemination of material contained in this publication, provided that reference is made to the source. All rights reserved. Reproduction and dissemination of material in this information product for educational or other non-commercial purposes are authorized without any prior written permission from the copyright holders provided the source is fully acknowledged. Reproduction of material in this information product for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without written permission of the copyright holders. Applications for such permission should be addressed to the Chief, Publishing Management Service, Information Division, FAO, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, Rome, Italy or by to FAO 2011

3 Desert Locust Joint Survey in the Spring Breeding Areas of Pakistan and I. R. Iran April May 2011 Mahmoud Chalaki Zebardast Ghulam Qadir Lund Baloch Abbas Ahmadi Kahnali Muhammad Younas FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS Rome, 2011

4 Table of Contents Acknowledgements...3 Conclusions and Recommendations...4 Introduction...5 Methodology...5 Results and Discussion...6 Conclusions and Recommendations...7 Appendix 1. Survey participants...10 Appendix 2. Itinerary...11 Appendix 3. Survey results Pakistan...13 Appendix 4. Survey results I.R. Iran...15 Appendix 5. Rainfall data...17 Appendix 6. Survey maps...18 Appendix 7. Photos...19 Appendix 8. Itinerary for

5 Acknowledgements The joint survey team is very much thankful to Dr. Tasneem Ahmad, Plant Protection Adviser and Director General, Department of Plant Protection, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Government of Pakistan and to Mr. Aghareza Fotouhi, Head of the Plant Protection Organization, Government of I.R. Iran for their generous guidance, support in making the necessary arrangements and co-ordination for a successful joint survey between the two countries under the prevailing unfavorable circumstances in The team cordially acknowledges Keith Cressman, Secretary, SWAC and Senior Locust Forecasting Officer, FAO Rome, for his personal efforts as well as the FAO Representations in Pakistan and I. R. Iran, for their assistance. The joint survey team also wishes to solicit and thank all those individuals who assisted in the smooth implementation of the survey. 3

6 Conclusions and Recommendations The 2011 Joint Survey results indicate that the Desert Locust situation is important in the Kharan desert of Pakistan and the Jaz Murian Basin in I. R. Iran where good rains fell this spring and one generation of breeding took place. Consequently, locust numbers were increasing in April and May. To address this potentially critical situation, intensive local surveys should be maintained in both areas until the end of June. National teams should undertake the necessary control operations in order to reduce the scale of adult movement towards the summer breeding areas along the Indo-Pakistan border in June and July. For the first time in recent memory, the Pakistani team surveyed the Great Sandy Desert in northwest Baluchistan. The Joint Survey should be continued in 2012, ideally as a joint activity if security permits or as two separate activities similar to what was undertaken this year. 4

7 Desert Locust Joint Survey in the Spring Breeding Areas of Pakistan and I.R. Iran April May 2011 Introduction This is the 17 th consecutive joint survey in the spring breeding areas of Pakistan and I.R. Iran recommended by the Nineteenth Session of the FAO Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in Southwest Asia (SWAC) in Pakistani and Iranian teams undertook the survey at the time of year when Desert Locusts are most likely to be present and breeding in both countries. In view of security concerns in the survey areas of Baluchistan since 2009, two options for the survey were discussed in the 27 th Session of SWAC held in Islamabad, Pakistan on January 2011: Option A the 2011 joint survey would be undertaken as a routine survey, that is, the joint survey team would consist of locust officers from both countries who will carry out the survey as a single joint team, first in Baluchistan, Pakistan and then in the provinces of Sistan-Baluchistan, Hormozgan and Kerman in I. R. Iran. Option B the 2011 joint survey would be carried out by each survey team separately on its own territory, that is, a Pakistani team would survey Baluchistan, Pakistan and an Iranian team would survey Sistan-Baluchistan, Hormozgan and Kerman provinces in southeast I. R. Iran. At the end of survey, the Pakistani team leader and national locust unit head will visit Zahedan to discuss results, exchange information and to draft joint report with their respective counterparts and the Iranian team. This year, Option B was adopted and the joint survey was carried out simultaneously in both countries from 17 April to 7 May The start of the survey was delayed by two weeks due to a potential conflict with an inter-regional locust workshop. The participants and itinerary of this year's survey are listed in Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 respectively. Survey results for each country, rainfall data and maps are presented in Appendix 3-6. Photos taken during the survey are in Appendix 7. The proposed itineraries for the joint survey in 2012 are shown in Appendix 8. Methodology Two locust experts from Pakistan and three locust experts from I. R. Iran participated in the joint survey (Appendix 1). In addition to the national locust experts from both the countries and on recommendation of FAO Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the Central Region (CRC), Mr. Nassor Al-Harthy, Locust Unit Head from Oman, participated for ten days in the survey along the southeastern coastal plains of I.R. Iran from Chabahar to Bandar-e Abbas. As the joint survey team in each country was only half the size of the full joint team in previous years, only two vehicles were used in each country this year. The itinerary was extended in both countries and focused on potential areas for locust presence and breeding (Appendix 2). A total distance of 14,000 km was covered during the survey, of which 6,000 km were in Pakistan and 8,000 km in I.R. Iran. 5

8 The Pakistani team surveyed an estimated area of 12,670 ha with a total of 132 survey stops while the Iranian team covered about 5,610 ha with a total of 98 stops. Both teams used elocust2 during the entire survey to record and transmit field observations to their respective national locust units. At the end of the survey, the team leaders and the national locust unit heads of both countries met in Zahedan, I.R. Iran for three days to discuss the survey results and finalize the joint report. During the meeting and when preparing the draft report, it was noted that some data sent by elocust2 were incomplete and had missing survey stops and/or ecological data. These data were corrected by using the history option in elocust2 and then added with the elocust2mapper application. During this year's survey, it was for the first time that: two teams conducted separate survey operations due to the security situation; the Pakistani team surveyed the western and southern side of the Great Sandy Desert from Nokundi to Washuk via Mashkhel; the Iranian team used GPRS modem to access the Internet during the survey; one locust officer from Oman participated to Iranian side of survey. Results and Discussion Pakistan After a great many years, the team surveyed the western and southern portions of the Great Sandy Desert (GSD) near the Iranian border covering the interior of the desert from Nokundi to Mashkhel, Washuk, Shamsi, and Borko to Kharan. This allowed the team to avoid returning along the same route from Taftan to Nushki in order to reach Kharan. From Nokundi, the team headed south and crossed the Hamum-i-Mashkhel, a vast dry lake of shimmering white barren soil, sun-baked clay and salty marshes with poorly defined tracks, to Qila Ladgasht, a small oasis village about 13 km east of the I.R. Iran border. The team then moved south-southeast along a track on the southern edge of the GSD where there were limited areas of vegetation near Duzab. The team continued east at Wadan Kaur (272628N/631456E) to the oasis of Washuk (2744N/6448E). From Washuk, the team proceeded in a northeasterly direction via Madag to Kharan. The central portion of the GSD, west of Bhakal (2810N/6453E) consists of sand dunes and becomes increasingly uninhabited, remote and inaccessible. Consequently, this area is generally not surveyed for Desert Locusts. During the survey, it was observed that ecological conditions in Nushki and Kharan areas up to Washuk were favourable for locust breeding (Appendix 3). As rain fell recently in these areas, vegetation was green or already green, and the soil was sufficiently moist for egg laying (Appendix 5). Solitary adults and solitary hopper populations were recorded in these areas up to Nag. In some localities of Nushki and Kharan, solitary adults were also seen copulating and laying eggs. No gregarious populations were seen anywhere by the team during the entire course of the survey. Camel herders and shepherds reported to the team that some scattered locust populations were present in Naru desert of Kharan but due to limited time, the team could not visit the locations and confirm the situation. However, the local locust officer at Kharan visited the area on the following day and confirmed the presence of Desert Locust populations. In the sub-coastal areas of Baluchistan from Panjgur to Turbat and along the coast from Jiwani, Gwadar, Pasni, Ormara to Uthal, ecological conditions were not favourable for locust breeding and hence no locust populations were seen in these areas except near Uthal where only two solitary isolated adults were found. No locusts were seen in the Khuzdar area. 6

9 The ecological conditions in Nushki, Kharan and Washuk areas were favourable for locust breeding and some breeding was noted in these areas as mentioned above. The recent rainfall received in these areas will allow ecological conditions to remain suitable and further breeding may take place in the coming month, causing locust numbers to increase in the area. Based on local reports and confirmed by the Locust Officer in Kharan, local infestations that were present in the Naru desert need to be controlled. During the survey, the team leader provided on-the-job training to the field officers posted at various locust outposts along the survey route n Baluchistan. I. R. Iran All surveyed areas were dry with low-density vegetation and were not suitable for locust breeding except in the Jaz Murian Basin where vegetation was green and dense and good rain fell recently (Appendix 5). Low numbers of solitarious adult were observed in the Jaz Murian Basin at Dalgan and Sardgol (Iranshahr), and on the southeast coastal plains near Beris (Chabahar) of Sistan- Baluchistan province and Koh Mobarak (Jask) of Hormozgan province (Appendix 4). Various stages of solitarious hoppers were seen in the Jaz Murian Basin as a result of one generation of local breeding. It is likely that these populations may need to be treated to prevent locust numbers from increasing further. Conclusions and Recommendations Desert Locust The survey results indicate that the Desert Locust situation is important in the Kharan desert of Pakistan and the Jaz Murian Basin in I. R. Iran (Appendix 6). These areas received good rainfall so that ecological conditions were sufficiently favourable to allow one generation of breeding to take place this year in both areas. Consequently, locust numbers were in the process of increasing during April and May. No significant Desert Locust infestations were seen in the remainder of the surveyed areas in both countries, and no further developments are likely. It is recommended that intensive local surveys be carried out in the areas where breeding has occurred this year so that strict vigilance is maintained until June. Both countries should undertake the necessary control operations, especially in the Kharan desert in Pakistan and in the Jaz Murian Basin in I. R. Iran to reduce locust infestations and the possibility of movement towards the summer breeding areas along the Indo-Pakistan border in June and July. Joint survey of 2012 Both teams recommend the following points for the Joint Survey in 2012: 1. The joint survey must be continued next year (Appendix 8); 2. Both countries should try to have a single joint survey as in previous years; 3. In case security conditions do not improve, then Option B used this year should be implemented in 2012; 4. In either case, the three-day meeting should be conducted at end of the survey; 7

10 5. Experts participating in the survey must be experienced and well informed of survey procedures. Likewise, drivers must be familiar with driving in desert areas and in offroad conditions using appropriate vehicles in excellent condition; 6. Each country should organize a national training course on Desert Locust survey before commencing the joint survey; 7. Locust officers participating in the joint survey, at least the team leader, should have a basic understanding and ability to read, write and converse in English; 8. As the Iranian team uses GPRS mobile service to access the Internet during the survey, DPP Pakistan should try to arrange the same facility for future joint surveys; 9. The Pakistani team proposes that the three-day meeting between the team leaders and national locust heads be held in Karachi if this does not represent unnecessarily high travel costs or visa difficulties; otherwise, the meeting should continue to be held in Zahedan, I.R. Iran; 10. In 2009, the Iranian team used software on their laptop (FlyBook) that could be connected to a GPS data logger to show current coordinates and location on custom maps. By using that software, the team could better understand their position in relation to potentially green areas. This software should be developed and made available for both countries and used during the joint survey. 8

11 APPENDICES 9

12 Appendix 1. Survey participants Name Title City I.R. Iran Team Leader Mahmoud Chalaki Zabardast Head, Locust Control Group Tehran PPO Locust Officer Abbas Ahmadi Kahnali PPO expert Chabahar Locust Officer Mohammad Akram Hoodiani PPO expert Jiroft Drivers Ezat Kazemi Dalgan Nasser Mirabdollahi Zahedan Pakistan Team Leader Ghulam Qadir Lund Entomologist Karachi Locust Officer Muhammad Younas Asst. Entomologist Panjgur Maintenance Asst. Rahim Bakhsh Maintenance asst. Panjgur Drivers Imam Bakhsh Turbat Abdul Ghani Karachi 10

13 Appendix 2. Itinerary Day Date Pakistan route Night Halt 1 17/04/2011 Start joint survey Quetta 2 18/04/2011 Quetta Quetta 3 19/04/2011 Quetta Nushki area Nushki Nushki 4 20/04/2011 Nushki Dalbandin Chaghi hills Nokundi Taftan Taftan 5 21/04/2011 Taftan Nokundi Great Sandy Desert (GSD) Washuk Washuk 6 22/04/2011 Washuk GSD Madag Kharan Kharan 7 23/04/2011 Kharan Ziarat Shamsi Washuk Borko Kharan Kharan 8 24/04/2011 Kharan Basima Kharan Kharan 9 25/04/2011 Kharan Nag Panjgur Panjgur 10 26/04/2011 Panjgur Prome Panjgur Panjgur 11 27/04/2011 Panjgur Panjgur area Panjgur Panjgur 12 28/04/2011 Panjgur Hoshab Turbat Turbat 13 29/04/2011 Turbat Mirani Dam area Turbat Turbat 14 30/04/2011 Turbat Solaika Turbat Turbat 15 01/05/2011 Turbat Gwadar area Gwadar Gwadar 16 02/05/2011 Gwadar Jiwani Gwadar Pasni Pasni 17 03/05/2011 Pasni Pasni area Ormara coastal area Uthal Uthal 18 04/04/2011 Uthal Wadh Khuzdar area Khuzdar Khuzdar 19 05/04/2011 Khuzdar Qallat area Quetta Quetta 20 06/05/2011 Quetta (visa process) Quetta 21 07/05/2011 Team Leader and National Locust Head Quetta to Zahedan Zahedan 22 08/05/2011 Locust Heads / Team review survey results Zahedan 23 09/05/2011 Locust Heads / Team Meeting, prepare report Zahedan 24 10/05/2011 Locust Heads / Team Meeting, prepare report Zahedan 25 11/05/2011 Locust Heads / Team Meeting, prepare report Karachi 26 12/05/2011 Due to flight schedule Pakistan team in/out one day earlier - 11

14 Day Date I.R. Iran route Night Halt 1 17/04/2011 Start joint survey Zahedan 2 18/04/2011 Zahedan Khash Gosht Saravan Saravan 3 19/04/2011 Saravan Soran Zaboli Saravan Saravan 4 20/04/2011 Saravan Iranshahr Iranshahr 5 21/04/2011 Iranshahr Jolgeh Chah Hashem Iranshahr Iranshahr 6 22/04/2011 Iranshahr Dalgan Area Iranshahr Iranshahr 7 23/04/2011 Iranshahr Espake Nikshahr Chabahar Chabahar 8 24/04/2011 Chabahar Konarak Area Chabahar Chabahar 9 25/04/2011 Chabahar Zarabad Chabahar Chabahar 10 26/04/2011 Chabahar Beris Sham Govatr Chabahar Chabahar 11 27/04/2011 Chabahar Vashnam Dashtyari Negor Chabahar Chabahar 12 28/04/2011 Chabahar Zar Abad Jask Jask 13 29/04/2011 Jask area Jask 14 30/04/2011 Jask Minab Minab 15 01/05/2011 Minab Bandar Abbas Bandar Abbas 16 02/05/2011 Rest day Bandar Abbas 17 03/05/2011 Rest day Bandar Abbas 18 04/05/2011 Bandar Abbas Manojan Qale Ganj Solan Kahnoj Kahnoj 19 05/05/2011 Kahnoj west Jaz Murian Kahnoj Kahnoj 20 06/05/2011 Kahnoj east Jaz Murian Kahnoj Kahnoj 21 07/05/2011 Zehkalot Dalgan Bampour Sardegal Iranshahr Iranshahr 22 08/05/2011 Iranshahr Zahedan; review survey results Zahedan 23 09/05/2011 Locust Heads / Team Meeting, prepare report Zahedan 24 10/05/2011 Locust Heads / Team Meeting, prepare report Zahedan 25 11/05/2011 Locust Heads / Team Meeting, prepare report Zahedan 26 12/05/2011 Iranian Team back to their home 12

15 Appendix 3. Survey results - Pakistan Date Time Latitude Longitude HA survey Habitat Vegetation Density Last rain Quantity Soil Locust HA infested Hopper maturity Phase Behaviour Density Adults Phase Behaviour Breeding Transect L Transect W Adults seen Adults/ha 19/04/ :10: Town Green Low Moderate Wet Absent 19/04/ :12: Crops Plain Green Dense 15/04/2011 High Wet Absent 19/04/ :52: Wadi Greening Low 15/04/2011 Moderate Wet Absent 19/04/ :47: Wadi Greening Medium 15/04/2011 Moderate Wet Absent 19/04/ :14: Wadi Greening Low 16/04/2011 Moderate Wet Absent 19/04/ :02: Plain Green Dense 16/04/2011 Moderate Wet Absent 19/04/ :48: Crops Dunes Green Dense 16/04/2011 Moderate Wet Present 80 3 Solitary Isolated 1/site Mature Transiens Isolated Copulating Laying /04/ :08: Dunes Greening Low 16/04/2011 Moderate Wet Absent 19/04/ :13: Dunes Green Medium 16/04/2011 Moderate Wet Present 70 Mature Solitary Isolated /04/ :32: Plain Dry Low 16/04/2011 Moderate Wet Absent 19/04/ :11: Dunes Green Low 15/04/2011 Moderate Dry Absent 20/04/ :45: Dunes Green Medium 15/04/2011 Moderate Wet Absent 20/04/ :50: Wadi Greening Low Moderate Wet Absent 20/04/ :51: Hills Greening Medium 16/04/2011 Moderate Wet Absent 20/04/ :29: Plain Greening Low 16/04/2011 Low Wet Absent 20/04/ :54: Plain Drying Low Low Dry Absent 20/04/ :26: Interdunes Drying Low Low Dry Absent 20/04/ :13: Plain Drying Low Low Dry Absent 20/04/ :46: Plain Drying Low Low Dry Absent 21/04/ :14: Plain Drying Low Low Dry Absent 21/04/ :45: Plain Dry Low Low Dry Absent 21/04/ :24: Wadi Drying Low Low Dry Absent 21/04/ :37: Wadi Dry Low Low Dry Absent 22/04/ :09: Wadi Drying Low Low Dry Absent 22/04/ :21: Wadi Drying Low Low Dry Absent 22/04/ :06: Wadi Drying Low Low Dry Absent 23/04/ :18: Wadi Drying Low Low Dry Absent 23/04/ :01: Wadi Drying Medium Moderate Dry Absent 23/04/ :28: Wadi Drying Medium 16/04/2011 Moderate Dry Present 50 Mature Solitary Isolated /04/ :14: Dunes Drying Medium 16/04/2011 Moderate Dry Present Solitary Isolated 1/site Immature Solitary Isolated /04/ :20: Wadi Drying Medium 16/04/2011 Moderate Dry Present Solitary Isolated 1/site Mature Solitary Isolated /04/ :03: Dunes Drying Low 16/04/2011 Moderate Dry Absent 23/04/ :35: Hills Drying Medium 16/04/2011 Moderate Dry Absent 23/04/ :09: Wadi Drying Medium 16/04/2011 Low Dry Absent 24/04/ :52: Plain Drying Medium 04/03/2011 Moderate Dry Absent 24/04/ :52: Plain Drying Medium 04/03/2011 Moderate Dry Absent 24/04/ :57: Dunes Drying Medium 04/03/2011 Moderate Dry Absent 24/04/ :33: Dunes Green Medium 04/03/2011 Moderate Wet Present 100 Mature Solitary Isolated /04/ :02: Crops Green Dense 04/03/2011 Moderate Wet Absent 24/04/ :42: Wadi Drying Low 04/03/2011 Moderate Dry Absent 24/04/ :06: Dunes Drying Medium 04/03/2011 Moderate Dry Present 100 Mature Solitary Isolated /04/ :29: Dunes Drying Medium 04/03/2011 Moderate Dry Present 100 Mature Solitary Isolated /04/ :28: Dunes Plain Drying Medium 04/03/2011 Moderate Dry Present 100 Mature Solitary Isolated /04/ :30: Dunes Drying Medium 04/03/2011 Moderate Dry Present 200 Immature Maturing Mature Solitary Transiens Scattered Copulating /04/ :35: Wadi Drying Medium 04/03/2011 Moderate Dry Present 50 24/04/ :40: Wadi Drying Medium 04/03/2011 Moderate Dry Present 50 Mature Solitary Isolated /04/ :06: Dunes Plain Drying Low 04/03/2011 Moderate Dry Present 50 Mature Solitary Isolated /04/ :38: Town Drying Medium 04/03/2011 Moderate Dry Absent 24/04/ :10: Dunes Drying Medium 04/03/2011 Moderate Dry Present 70 Mature Solitary Isolated /04/ :56: Crops Green Dense 04/03/2011 Moderate Wet Absent 25/04/ :57: Dunes Green Medium 04/03/2011 Moderate Wet Present Solitary Isolated 4/site Mature Solitary Isolated Copulating /04/ :32: Dunes Green Medium 04/03/2011 Moderate Wet Present Solitary Isolated 10/site Mature Solitary Isolated /04/ :16: Wadi Green Medium 04/03/2011 Moderate Wet Absent 26/04/ :02: Wadi Drying Medium 04/03/2011 Moderate Dry Absent 26/04/ :08: Wadi Drying Medium 04/03/2011 Moderate Dry Absent 26/04/ :09: Wadi Drying Medium 04/03/2011 Moderate Dry Absent

16 Date Time Latitude Longitude HA survey Habitat Vegetation Density Last rain Quantity Soil Locust HA infested Hopper maturity Phase Behaviour Density Adults Phase Behaviour Breeding Transect L Transect W Adults seen Adults/ha 27/04/ :45: Plain Dry Medium 14/04/2007 Low Dry Absent 27/04/ :27: Plain Dry Low 16/04/2011 Low Dry Absent 27/04/ :08: Plain Drying Medium 16/04/2011 Low Dry Absent 27/04/ :22: Plain Drying Low 16/04/2011 Low Dry Absent 29/04/ :02: Wadi Drying Low 16/04/2011 Low Dry Absent 29/04/ :57: Wadi Drying Low 16/04/2011 Low Dry Absent 29/04/ :26: Wadi Dry Low 16/04/2011 Low Dry Absent 29/04/ :51: Wadi Drying Low 16/04/2011 Low Dry Absent 29/04/ :11: Wadi Drying Low 16/04/2011 Low Dry Absent 30/04/ :30: Plain Drying Medium 29/04/2011 Low Dry Absent 30/04/ :44: Plain Dry Low 29/04/2011 Low Dry Absent 30/04/ :06: Plain Dry Low 29/04/2011 Low Dry Absent 30/04/ :31: Crops Green Dense 29/04/2011 Low Wet Absent 30/04/ :42: Wadi Drying Low 29/04/2011 Low Dry Absent 01/05/ :17: Plain Drying Medium 29/04/2011 Low Dry Absent 01/05/ :43: Plain Dry Medium 29/04/2011 Low Dry Absent 01/05/ :43: Plain Dry Medium Low Dry Absent 02/05/ :21: Plain Dry Medium 29/04/2011 Low Dry Absent 02/05/ :34: Beach Plain Drying Medium 29/04/2011 Low Dry Absent 02/05/ :37: Beach Dunes Dry Low 29/04/2011 Low Dry Absent 02/05/ :40: Dunes Drying Dense 29/04/2011 Low Dry Absent 02/05/ :06: Plain Dry Low Low Dry Absent 02/05/ :13: Plain Dry Low Low Dry Absent 02/05/ :20: Plain Dry Low 29/04/2011 Low Dry Absent 02/05/ :41: Plain Drying Medium 29/04/2011 Low Dry Absent 02/05/ :58: Plain Dry Low 29/04/2011 Low Dry Absent 02/05/ :00: Plain Dry Low 29/04/2011 Low Dry Absent 02/05/ :05: Plain Dry Low 29/04/2011 Low Dry Absent 02/05/ :27: Plain Drying Medium 29/04/2011 Low Dry Absent 03/05/ :42: Dunes Dry Low 03/03/2011 Low Dry Absent 03/05/ :00: Dunes Dry Low 03/03/2011 Low Dry Absent 03/05/ :21: Plain Dry Low 03/03/2011 Low Dry Absent 03/05/ :46: Dunes Dry Low 03/03/2011 Low Dry Absent 03/05/ :58: Dunes Drying Medium 03/03/2011 Low Dry Absent 03/05/ :25: Dunes Dry Medium 03/03/2011 Low Dry Absent 03/05/ :29: Plain Dry Low 03/03/2011 Low Dry Absent 03/05/ :30: Plain Drying Dense Low Dry Absent 03/05/ :32: Plain Drying Dense Low Dry Absent 03/05/ :48: Plain Drying Medium Low Dry Absent 03/05/ :07: Plain Drying Dense Low Dry Absent 03/05/ :33: Plain Drying Low Low Dry Absent 04/05/ :56: Dunes Drying Low 24/02/2011 Low Dry Present 80 Mature Solitary Isolated /05/ :21: Dunes Dry Low 24/02/2011 Low Dry Absent 04/05/ :43: Dunes Dry Medium 24/02/2011 Low Dry Absent 04/05/ :20: Dunes Greening Medium 02/05/2011 Moderate Wet Absent 04/05/ :18: Dunes Greening Low 02/05/2011 Low Wet Absent 04/05/ :56: Plain Dry Low 24/04/2011 Low Dry Absent 04/05/ :02: Wadi Green Medium 24/04/2011 Low Wet Absent 04/05/ :30: Wadi Green Medium 24/04/2011 Low Dry Absent 04/05/ :10: Wadi Green Medium 24/04/2011 Moderate Wet Absent 05/05/ :02: Wadi Green Medium 02/05/2011 Moderate Wet Absent 05/05/ :38: Plain Green Low 02/05/2011 Moderate Wet Absent 05/05/ :00: Wadi Green Medium 02/05/2011 Moderate Wet Absent 05/05/ :14: Wadi Green Medium 02/05/2011 Moderate Wet Absent 05/05/ :46: Wadi Green Medium 02/05/2011 Moderate Wet Absent 05/05/ :41: Wadi Green Medium 02/05/2011 Moderate Wet Absent 05/05/ :26: Wadi Green Low 02/05/2011 Moderate Wet Absent 05/05/ :06: Wadi Green Medium 02/05/2011 Moderate Wet Absent

17 Appendix 4. Survey results - I.R. Iran Date Time Latitude Longitude HA survey Habitat Vegetation Density Last rain Quantity Soil Locust HA infested Hopper maturity Dominant Phase Behaviour Density Colour Adults Dominant Phase Behaviour Density Adults seen 4/18/ :15: Dunes Greening Medium 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/18/ :16: Plain Green Low 3/3/2011 Moderate Wet Absent 4/18/ :18: Plain Greening Medium 3/3/2011 Moderate Dry Absent 4/18/ :21: Plain Greening Medium 3/3/2011 Moderate Dry Absent 4/19/ :25: Plain Greening Medium 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/19/ :00: Plain Greening Medium 4/15/2011 Low Wet Absent 4/19/ :19: Dunes Plain Greening Low 4/15/2011 Low Wet Absent 4/19/ :59: Dunes Greening Medium 4/15/2011 Low Wet Absent 4/19/ :16: Plain Greening Low 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/19/ :51: Plain Greening Low 3/2/2011 Moderate Dry Absent 4/19/ :41: Plain Green Medium 4/15/2011 Low Wet Absent 4/19/ :45: Plain Green Low 3/2/2011 Moderate Dry Absent 4/20/ :16: Plain Green Medium 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/20/ :43: Plain Green Medium 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/21/ :55: Plain Green Medium 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/21/ :27: Dunes Green Medium 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/21/ :49: Dunes Green Medium 3/4/2011 Moderate Dry Absent 4/21/ :07: Plain Green Low 3/4/2011 Moderate Dry Absent 4/21/ :28: Plain Green Medium 3/4/2011 Moderate Dry Absent 4/21/ :36: Plain Green Medium 3/4/2011 Moderate Dry Absent 4/21/ :08: Dunes Green Low 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/21/ :25: Plain Green Low 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/21/ :41: Plain Green Low 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/21/ :53: Plain Green Low 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/22/ :47: Plain Green Medium 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/22/ :20: Plain Green Medium 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/22/ :50: Plain Green Medium 4/15/2011 Low Dry Present Solitary Isolated Green Mature Mature Solitary Isolated 4/22/ :31: Plain Green Dense 4/15/2011 Low Dry Present 10 Mature Solitary Isolated Low 4/22/ :56: Plain Green Low 4/15/2011 Low Dry Present 1 Mature Mature Solitary Isolated Low 4/22/ :47: Crops Green Dense 4/15/2011 Low Wet Present 1 '1 Solitary Isolated Low 4/22/ :07: Plain Green Low 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/22/ :51: Plain Green Low 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/23/ :51: Plain Green Low 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/23/ :44: Plain Green Low 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/23/ :27: Dunes Green Low 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/24/ :22: Plain Dry Low 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/24/ :43: Plain Dry Medium 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/24/ :35: Plain Dry Medium 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/24/ :10: Plain Dry Medium 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/24/ :58: Plain Dry Medium 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/25/ :14: Plain Dry Low 4/11/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/25/ :55: Plain Dry Low 4/11/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/25/ :30: Plain Dry Low 4/11/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/25/ :51: Plain Dry Low 4/11/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/25/ :25: Plain Dry Low 4/11/2004 Low Dry Absent 4/25/ :56: Plain Dry Low 4/11/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/26/ :12: Plain Dry Low 4/11/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/26/ :59: Plain Dry Low 4/11/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/26/ :50: Plain Dry Low 4/11/2011 Low Dry Absent

18 Date Time Latitude Longitude HA survey Habitat Vegetation Density Last rain Quantity Soil Locust HA infested Hopper maturity Dominant Phase Behaviour Density Colour Adults Dominant Phase Behaviour Density Adults seen 4/26/ :35: Plain Dry Low 4/11/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/26/ :03: Plain Dry Low 4/11/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/27/ :52: Dunes Drying Low 4/11/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/27/ :35: Plain Dry Low 4/11/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/27/ :56: Beach Plain Dry Low 4/11/2011 Low Dry Present 1 Solitary Isolated 1 4/27/ :56: Plain Dry Low 4/11/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/27/ :14: Plain Dry Low 4/11/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/28/ :29: Dunes Dry Low 4/11/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/28/ :11: Plain Dry Low 4/11/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/28/ :20: Plain Dry Low 1/11/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/28/ :54: Dunes Dry Low 4/11/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/29/ :20: Plain Green Dense 4/11/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/29/ :48: Plain Green Dense 4/11/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/29/ :16: Plain Well Green Dense 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/29/ :56: Plain Dry Low 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/29/ :23: Plain Dry Low 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/29/ :24: Dunes Dry Low 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/29/ :55: Plain Dry Low 4/15/2011 Low Dry Present 1 Solitary Isolated 1 4/29/ :23: Plain Dry Low 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 4/30/ :56: Wadi Greening Low 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 5/4/ :03: Plain Green Low 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 5/4/ :04: Plain Green Low 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 5/4/ :36: Plain Green Medium 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 5/4/ :08: Plain Green Low 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 5/4/ :52: Plain Green Dense 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 5/4/ :15: Plain Green Low 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 5/5/ :27: Plain Green Dense 4/15/2011 Low Dry Present Solitary Isolated Low 5/5/ :55: Plain Green Dense 4/15/2011 Low Wet Present 50 Mature Solitary Isolated 10 5/5/ :49: Plain Drying Low 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 5/5/ :20: Plain Drying Low 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 5/5/ :59: Dunes Green Low 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 5/5/ :24: Dunes Green Low 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 5/6/ :55: Plain Green Low 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 5/6/ :11: Plain Green Low 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 5/6/ :55: Plain Green Low 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 5/6/ :46: Plain Green Low 4/11/2011 Low Dry Absent 5/7/ :21: Dunes Green Low 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 5/7/ :34: Dunes Green Low 5/1/2011 Low Wet Absent 5/7/ :51: Dunes Plain Green Medium 5/1/2011 Low Dry Absent 5/7/ :15: Plain Green Medium 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 5/7/ :34: Dunes Green Low 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 5/7/ :51: Dunes Plain Green Low 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 5/7/ :56: Plain Green Low 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 5/7/ :29: Plain Green Low 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 5/7/ :24: Plain Drying Medium 4/15/2011 Low Dry Present Solitary Isolated 5/7/ :47: Plain Drying Low 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 5/7/ :20: Plain Dry Low 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent 5/7/ :40: Plain Drying Low 4/15/2011 Low Dry Present 1 Solitary Isolated 1 5/7/ :57: Plain Dry Medium 4/15/2011 Low Dry Absent

19 Appendix 5. Rainfall data I.R. Iran. Good rains fell during January and February 2011 in the central interior (triangles) and, to a lesser extent, on the coast (circles) and in the northern interior (squares). Pakistan. Heavy rains associated with Cyclone Phet fell in June 2010 on the coast (circles), and good rains fell from February to April 2011 in the central (triangles) and northern (squares) interior. 17

20 Appendix 6. Survey maps Baluchistan, Pakistan. Survey stops indicated in blue. Southeast I.R. Iran. Survey stops where red indicates locust presence and green indicates locust absence. 18

21 Appendix 7. Photos Dry land in Turbat area, Pakistan Solitary hoppers feeding on weeds in Kharan area, Pakistan Team Leader checking soil moisture in Kharan Desert, Pakistan Solitary female laying in Nushki area, Pakistan Vegetation greening in Kharan desert, Pakistan Pakistan team members (L-R): Imam Bakhsh, Rahim Bakhsh, M. Younas, Ghulam Qadir, Abdul Ghani 19

22 Dry conditions west of Chabahar, I.R. Iran Dry conditions east of Chabahar, I.R. Iran Dry conditions east of Chabahar, I.R. Iran Isolated immature adults at Beris (251328N/605941E), I.R. Iran Isolated adults at Kumubarak (254948N/571836E), I.R. Iran Iranian team members (L-R): Mahmoud Chalaki, Nasser Mirabdollahi, Abbas Ahmadi, Nassor Al Harthy (Oman), Mohammad Hoodiani, Ezat Kazemi 20

23 Appendix 8. Itinerary for 2012 Day Date Option A (normal joint survey) route Night halt 1 01/04/2012 I.R. Iran team cross into Pakistan at Mirjaveh Taftan 2 02/04/2012 Taftan, Dalbandin, Chagi Hills, Nushki Nushki 3 03/04/2012 Nushki, Kharan, Kharan area (Naroo) Kharan 4 04/04/2012 Kharan area (Shamsi Borko) Kharan 5 05/04/2012 Kharan area (Ormage and Sole area) Kharan 6 06/04/2012 Kharan, Basima, Nag, Panjgur Panjgur 7 07/04/2012 Panjgur, Prome, Panjgur Panjgur 8 08/04/2012 Panjgur, Hoshab, Turbat Turbat 9 09/04/2012 Turbat, Solaika, Turbat Turbat 10 10/04/2012 Turbat, Suntsar, Gwader Gwader 11 11/04/2012 Gwader, Jiwani, Gwader Gwader 12 12/04/2012 Gwader, Kulanch, Pasni Pasni 13 13/04/2012 Pasni area Pasni 14 14/04/2012 Pasni, Ormara, Uthal Uthal 15 15/04/2012 Uthal, Khuzdar, Quetta Quetta 16 16/04/2012 Report day, prepare 1 st half joint survey results Quetta 17 17/04/2012 Quetta, Nushki, Taftan Taftan 1 18/04/2012 Both teams cross border point Taftan/Mirjaveh Zahedan 2 19/04/2012 Zahedan, Khash, Gosht, Saravan Saravan 3 20/04/2012 Saravan, Souran, Zaboli, Iranshahr Iranshahr 4 21/04/2012 Iranshahr, Jolgeh Chah Hashem, Iranshahr Iranshahr 5 22/04/2012 Iranshahr, Espakeh, Nikshahr, Chahbahar Chahbahar 6 23/04/2012 Chahbahar, Beris, Sham, Govater, Chahbahar Chahbahar 7 24/04/2012 Chahbahar, Vashnam, Dashtiari, Negur, Chahbahar Chahbahar 8 25/04/2012 Chahbahar, Zarabad, Jask area Jask 9 26/04/2012 Jask, Minab, Bandar Abbas Bandar Abbas 10 27/04/2012 Report day, prepare 2 nd half joint survey results Bandar Abbas 11 28/04/2012 B.Abbas, Manujan, Ghale Ganj, Sowlan, Kahnuj Kahnuj 12 29/04/2012 East Jaz Murian, Kahnuj Kahnuj 13 30/04/2012 Zeh Kalout, Dalgan, Bampour, Sardegal, Iranshahr Iranshahr 14 01/05/2012 Iranshahr, Zahedan, send 2 nd half results Zahedan 15 02/05/2012 Locust Heads/ JS team meeting, prepare JS report Zahedan 16 03/05/2012 Locust Heads/ JS team meeting, prepare JS report Zahedan 17 04/05/2012 Zahedan, Mirjaveh; Pakistani Team cross the border 21

24 Day Date Option B (separate survey) route: I.R. Iran Night halt 1 01/04/2012 Start joint survey Zahedan 2 02/04/2012 Zahedan Khash Gosht Saravan Saravan 3 03/04/2012 Saravan Soran Saravan Saravan 4 04/04/2012 Saravan Zaboli Iranshahr Iranshahr 5 05/04/2012 Iranshahr Jolgeh Chah Hashem Iranshahr Iranshahr 6 06/04/2012 Iranshahr Dalgan area Iranshahr Iranshahr 7 07/04/2012 Iranshahr Espake Nikshahr Chabahar Chabahar 8 08/04/2012 Chabahar Konarak area Chabahar Chabahar 9 09/04/2012 Chabahar east Vashnam Kambel Kohdim Chabahar Chabahar 10 10/04/2012 Chabahar Beris Sham Govatr Chabahar (Omani officer arrives in Tehran and flies to Chabahar on Chabahar the same day) 11 11/04/2012 Chabahar west Vashnam Maleki Berijdar Abkan Chabahar Chabahar 12 12/04/2012 Chabahar Zar Abad Jask Jask 13 13/04/2012 Jask area Jask 14 14/04/2012 Jask Jask Kohneh Kohmobarak Bandar Abbas Bandar Abbas 15 15/04/2012 Rest day (Omani officer depart for Tehran for next day flight to his country) Bandar Abbas 16 16/04/2012 Bandar Abbas Manojan Qale Ganj Kahnuj Kahnuj 17 17/04/2012 Kahnuj west Jaz Murian Soolan Kahnuj Kahnuj 18 18/04/2012 Kahnuj east Jaz Murian Kahnuj Kahnuj 19 19/04/2012 Kahnuj Zehkalot Bampour Sardegal Iranshahr Iranshahr 20 20/04/2012 Iranshahr Zahedan Zahedan 21 21/04/2012 JS Team leader travels back to Tehran Tehran 22 22/04/2012 Iranian Locust Head & Team Leader fly to Karachi Karachi 23 23/04/2012 Locust Heads / JS team meeting, prepare JS report Karachi 24 24/04/2012 Locust Heads / JS team meeting, prepare JS report Karachi 25 25/04/2012 Locust Heads / JS team meeting, prepare JS report and to submit to DLIS, Rome Karachi 26 26/04/2012 Iranian Locust Head & Team Leader return to Tehran N.B. In case of unnecessarily high travel costs and visa difficulties to allow the Iranian Locust Head and Team Leader to participate in the JS Team Meeting in Karachi, the meeting venue can be changed to Zahedan, I.R. Iran at the discretion of the SWAC Secretary and in consultation with both countries. 22

25 Day Date Option B (separate survey) route: Pakistan Night halt 1 01/04/2012 Quetta Nushki (Nushki desert) Nushki Nushki 2 02/04/2012 Nushki Mul area Dalbandin Nokundi Taftan Taftan 3 03/04/2012 Taftan Nokundi Mashkhel Washuk Washuk 4 04/04/2012 Washuk Naru desert Kharan Kharan 5 05/04/2012 Kharan Totazai Ormage Kharan Kharan 6 06/04/2012 Kharan Haji Chah Jamak Kharan Kharan 7 07/04/2012 Kharan Ziarat Shamsi Washuk Borko Borko 8 08/04/2012 Borko Basima Nag Panjgur Panjgur 9 09/04/2012 Panjgur Prome area Panjgur Panjgur 10 10/04/2012 Panjgur Hoshab area Turabt Turbat 11 11/04/2012 Turbat Solaika area Turbat Turbat 12 12/04/2012 Turbat Sunstar area Gwadar Gwadar 13 13/04/2012 Gwadar Jiwani Gwadar Gwadar 14 14/04/2012 Report day for first half of the survey Gwadar 15 15/04/2012 Gwadar Kolanch area Pasni Pasni 16 16/04/2012 Pasni Pasni area Pasni Pasni 17 17/04/2012 Pasni Ormara coastal area Uthal Uthal 18 18/04/2012 Uthal Uthal area Uthal Uthal 19 19/04/2012 Uthal Wadh Khuzdar Khuzdar 20 20/04/2012 Khuzdar Qallat area Quetta Quetta 21 21/04/2012 Report day for second half of the survey & winding up Quetta 22 22/04/2012 Pakistan Team Leader travels to Karachi for meeting Karachi 23 23/04/2012 Meeting of Team Leaders and Locust Heads of both countries to exchange views and information on JS Karachi 24 24/04/2012 Meeting of Team Leaders and Locust Heads of both countries to draft the JS Report Karachi 25 25/04/2012 Meeting of Team Leaders and Locust Heads of both countries to submit the Final JS Report to DLIS, Rome Karachi 26 26/04/2012 The delegates of I. R. Iran travel back to their destinations - N.B. In case of unnecessarily high travel costs and visa difficulties to allow the Iranian Locust Head and Team Leader to participate in the JS Team Meeting in Karachi, the meeting venue can be changed to Zahedan, I.R. Iran at the discretion of the SWAC Secretary and in consultation with both countries. 23