Climatic Reasons for the Current Expansion of the Range of the Italian Locust in Russia and Neighboring Countries

Abstract

The species climatic range of a dangerous locust pest, called the Italian locust, was modelled for the territories of Russia and neighboring countries over two time periods of 1956–1975 and 1996–2015. On the basis of analysis of the constructed schematic map, the northward expansion of the climatic range of the Italian locust in 1996–2015 in comparison to the period of 1956–1975 is shown. The expansion is explained by the increasing trend of the average global surface air temperature in recent decades. The obtained data can be used for monitoring locust pests in agriculture.