Most of the arable land in the massive, arid northwest African country has been overrun by swarms of the finger-length insects which have infested more than one million hectares (2.5 million acres) since July.

The visit by Diouf, who was to travel to Senegal later Wednesday, came as the FAO warned from Rome that the locust crisis in Mauritania and neighboring Mali and Niger was worsening, with a new generation of adult locusts expected to appear within weeks.

Senegal also faces a new wave of swarms and what scientists call hoppers, newly-hatched wingless locusts, which have been spotted along the Senegal River valley and Ferlo valley, according to FAO.

A series of good rains, first in the Sahel last summer and then in northwest Africa during winter and spring have created favorable conditions for locust development, allowing at least four generations of locusts to breed in quick succession.

Senegal's agriculture protection chief Mame Nene Lo said Wednesday that locusts had infested two new regions, bringing the total number of threatened hectares to 111,133.

With swarms of up to 80 million locusts ranging over each square kilometer, it appeared that the insects were winning the battle, President Abdoulaye Wade said Tuesday, while expressing disappointment that the international community has not responded with vigor to requests for help.

"We have to stop talking about money, it's a waste of time," Wade was quoted as saying by the Senegalese Press Agency. "What we need is concrete help, like equipment and products."

FAO estimates the cost of controlling the locust upsurge at between 58 and 83 million dollars (47-67 million euros). So far, 14 million dollars have been committed.

TERRA.WIRE