The management of the desert locust problem in Africa throughout one century: Example of Mauritania

The desert locust Schistocerca gregaria ( Forskål , 1775) is a major pest of crops and pastures in Africa, the Middle and Near East . Mauritania suffered from locust plagues for centuries, however, the study and the organization of its surveillance and control started only in the current of the twentieth century. In qualitatively and quantitatively terms, advances in the management of this problem, which have been developed first in a regional and then national framework, did not become significant, until the last twenty-five years. These developments are described in this presentation. They concern aspects related to the capabilities of locust risk management regarding institutional , human, operational, technical and technological matts in addition to the results of research work done and knowledge in biological , ecological, and climatic areas . The socio-economic impact at national and regional level of this plague are also discussed. Keywords: locusts, Mauritania, locust risk