Locusts
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| Locust nymphs emerge from an egg bed. |
Plague locust situation
A major nymph infestation with many hopper bands developed across the state during February/March as a result of continued widespread heavy rain and favourable conditions. There is a great risk of damage to cereal and fodder crops and a subsequent large infestation of nymphs during spring 2010. It is expected numerous regions will be affected by high densities of locusts during spring and summer.
All rural landholders need to report adult locusts now so nymphs can be effectively controlled in the coming spring. Landholders need to prepare for the spring locust plague by:
- Looking for swarms and egg laying on their property
- Reporting swarms and egg beds to their Livestock Health and Pest Authority
- Marking eggs bed locations for monitoring and early control next spring
Livestock Health and Pest Authorities are working closely with Industry & Investment NSW (I&I NSW), the NSW Farmers Association, the Australian Plague Locust Commission (APLC) and landholders in a coordinated approach to controlling locusts in NSW.
Under the Rural Lands Protection Act 1998, landholders are required to report the presence of plague locusts on their land to their local Livestock Health and Pest Authority. They are also required to use insecticide to control locust nymphs when the nymphs band together. Insecticide is provided free of charge from local LHPAs provided locust activity meets certain criteria.
It is important to contain the outbreak at the nymphal stage using ground control to prevent the locusts from migrating, breeding and laying more eggs.
Monitoring
Livestock Health and Pest Authority staff are collating locust reports from landholders, carrying out on-ground inspections and mapping locust activity.
It is essential that landholders report any locust activity immediately to their local Livestock Health and Pest Authority office.
Role of landholders
Landholders have a responsibility under the Rural Lands Protection Act 1998 to report the presence of plague locusts to their Livestock Health and Pest Authority and to control locusts/nymphs on their land, using insecticide provided from the Livestock Health and Pest Authorities. The stocks of insecticide are funded from the Pest Insect Levy paid by all Livestock Health and Pest Authority ratepayers in NSW.
It is vital that landholders cooperate and:
- Report all infestations to their local Livestock Health and Pest Authority office.
- Control locust bands on their land by treating them with insecticide.
Control methods
Ground control by landholders when the nymph form of the locusts band together provides the most effective opportunity to control locusts.
To report locust activity contact your Livestock Health and Pest Authority office.
Current situation
For more information about the current situation in NSW visit the website for Industry & Investment NSW.