An insect pest infestation is a recently detected insect pest population, including an incursion, or a sudden significant increase of an established insect, disease agents or weed population in an area leading to damage to plants in production fields, forests or natural habitats and causing substantial damage to productivity, biodiversity or natural resources (adapted from FAO, 2019).

Widespread and heavy infestations of crops and natural vegetation by locusts causing significant threats to food security, livelihoods and natural habitats in multiple regions (adapted from FAO, 2009).