Locust hatchings to occur soon

Landholders are urged to keep their eyes open for evidence of Australian plague locusts following an increase in sightings across western Victoria.

Australian plague locusts are native insects and if left unmanaged, can pose a serious threat to pastures, crops and horticulture.

Agriculture Victoria manager plant, pests and disease, Chris Pittock said there was no prediction of a locust plague but encouraged people to take appropriate action to minimise risk of damage to their property.

“Based on current surveillance and modelling, we envisage moderate to high locust populations in northwest Victoria this summer,” he said.

“Landholders and community members are encouraged to look for signs of egg laying, locust hatching, banding or swarming and report sightings to Agriculture Victoria.”

Dr Pittock said locust eggs would hatch in coming weeks.

When young locust nymphs are a couple of weeks old, they are wingless and start to aggregate into bands and this is the recommended time to manage the insect.

Dr Pittock said ground control using a chemical insecticide is the most successful method to manage locusts.

Locust management insecticides include biological insecticides, organophosphate and carbamate insecticides, phenylpyrazole insecticides and synthetic pyrethroid insecticides.

Dr Pittock said landholders could seek expert advice from their chemical reseller or agronomist about which insecticide best suited their situation.

There are also non-chemical options to use around homes and gardens.

More information is available via www.agriculture.vic. gov.au/locusts

The Victorian Plague Locust Commissioner and a team of eight regionally-based ‘locust champions’ can also advise farmers and landholders on proactive steps to manage locusts.