Insecticide Use against Desert Locust in the Horn of Africa 2019–2021 Reveals a Pressing Need for Change

Abstract

The desert locust upsurge in the Horn of Africa over 2019–2021 led to a total of 1.6 million ha being treated with broad-spectrum organophosphate and pyrethroid insecticides in Ethiopia and Kenya, while insect growth regulators and the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium acridum were applied in Somalia. Environmental monitoring was largely absent, with limited surveys conducted in Kenya and Ethiopia. Overdosing of fenitrothion of a 960 g/L formulation in Kenya led to non-target mortality, including birds and honeybees. In Ethiopia, chlorpyrifos and malathion applications coincided with a honey production decline of 78% in 2020 compared to pre-upsurge levels. The use of M. acridum on nearly 253,000 ha was a breakaway from previous campaigns, in which its successful application in Somalia against both hopper bands and swarms shows that the persistent and pervasive use of organophosphate insecticides can no longer be justified. Furthermore, future procurement of organophosphate insecticides and possibly insect growth regulators could become increasingly problematic due to measures enacted by the European Union. It is recommended that the complementary impact of M. acridum and bird predation on locusts should be considered in an integrated management approach for both swarm and hopper control.

African savanna raptors show evidence of widespread population collapse and a growing dependence on protected areas

“… 72 and lions Panthera leo 19 , 57 , help safeguard critical raptor habitats, raptors have distinct management requirements differing from those of large mammals. These include the protection of nesting trees and cliffs, the global adoption of bio-pesticides for locust control 73 , more effective management of Quelea control operations, and an improved understanding of the corridors and habitats required by migrant raptors. Mitigation is urgently required to end the extensive mortality caused by powerlines and windfarms 26 – 29 , particularly along migratory flyways.…”

Managed honey bee colony losses and causes during the active beekeeping season 2022/2023 in nine Sub-Saharan African countries

“…Reports indicate that pesticide usage among farmers in the Amhara and SNNP regions is common due to the heavy production of cereal, vegetable, and fruit crops [45][46][47]. In fact, the use of pesticides known to harm beneficial insects, including honey bees, has been documented not only in Ethiopia [45,[48][49][50], but also in Kenya [51][52][53] and other parts of Africa [55]. These pesticides include organochlorines (e.g.…”