Natural foci of the Moroccan locust (Dociostaurus maroccanus, Orthoptera, Acrididae) in Turkmenistan and their current state

Abstract

The current state of natural foci and the population dynamics of the Moroccan locust Dociostaurus maroccanus in Turkmenistan are described. The slope aspect, micro-relief, plant cover condition, and the degree of anthropogenic impact were considered in natural landscapes. The locations of the natural foci were described using a Garmin eTrex GPS device. The causes and features of changes in the altitudinal and latitudinal distribution of the species’ natural foci in the Kopet Dagh and Koyten Dagh mountains during the second half of the XX and early XXI centuries are revealed. Both lower and upper range limit extensions of the locust foci are shown to have been due to xerophytization of the mountain ecosystems because of excessive pasture use and climate aridization. As a result, Turkmenistan presently supports 15 areas of D. maroccanus outbreaks instead of 12 areas known previously.