# Dagestan locust swarm crisis

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/dagestan-locust-swarm-crisis
> Updated: 2026-08-07T15:10:47.000Z. Sources: 17. Developments: 2.

In early August 2026, a massive migration of locusts (Locusta migratoria) formed a dense swarm over the Kizlyar district in Dagestan, Russia. The cloud of insects reduced road visibility, darkened the sky, and moved across agricultural fields, threatening crops and pastureland across the region.

The Dagestan Ministry of Agriculture and Food responded with extensive control measures, deploying aerial aircraft and ground equipment for fumigation, though chemical treatments were limited in nature‑conservation zones. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization warned that up to 20 million people and 25 million hectares of cultivated land could be at risk. Experts linked the outbreak to a dry spell followed by heavy rains that created ideal breeding conditions, while social‑media users likened the scene to the biblical plagues.

By August 7, the swarm remained at record levels, overwhelming the region and prompting widespread social‑media coverage. The epicenter continued to be the Kizlyar district, where steppe and wet‑delta conditions, combined with fertile soils, fostered rapid locust reproduction. Authorities maintained aerial and ground control efforts as the agricultural emergency persisted.

## Claims

- A massive invasion of migratory locusts (Locusta migratoria) is affecting the Daghestan region in southern Russia. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Millions of locusts have formed huge swarms that reduce visibility on roads and threaten crops and pastures. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The epicenter of the locust outbreak is the rural district of Kizlyar in northern Daghestan. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The swarm growth is driven by a long drought followed by abundant rainfall that created plentiful vegetation. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Experts say locust density has exceeded a critical threshold of about 100 insects per unit area. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Social‑media users have compared the locust swarms to biblical plagues. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The locust invasion is being described as an agricultural emergency. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Images of the locust swarms have circulated widely online. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-07: Massive locust swarms overwhelm Daghestan, Russia

Millions of migratory locusts have formed massive swarms in Daghestan, Russia, devastating crops and reducing road visibility; experts cite drought‑then‑rain conditions and a critical density threshold.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/massive-locust-swarms-overwhelm-daghestan-russia

### 2026-08-05: Dagestan locust swarm engulfs sky, threatens crops

A massive swarm of migratory locusts over Dagestan’s Kizlyar district darkened the sky, cut road visibility, threatened crops and prompted aerial and ground fumigation, with UN FAO warning millions at risk.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/massive-locust-swarm-devastates-agriculture-in-dagestan-russia

---
Cite as: Dagestan locust swarm crisis. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/dagestan-locust-swarm-crisis