Spur-throated locusts

Spring 2011

Swarms of spur-throated locusts have been reported in the north west of the Darling LHPA.

The spur-throated locust is much larger than the Australian plague locust and doesn’t normally reach plague proportions in NSW. If not controlled, it has the potential to cause significant damage to crops and pasture this autumn and winter.

Adults often undertake migratory movements during spring and early summer, which is why all landholders are encouraged to check their paddocks for signs and report sightings to their local LHPA office.

Current situation (Australian Plague Locust Commission)

NSW Department of Primary Industries primefact

Reporting

Landholders should report any activity to their local LHPA immediately. This can be via phone, email or in person.

Nymphs are generally scattered and can be located on green pasture and crops. Adults can be found either roosting in trees overnight, especially during winter, or in adjacent pasture/crops during the day.

Control

A number of pesticides are registered for the control of spur-throated locusts. Your local LHPA ranger can distribute chemical to eligible landholders, where there is confirmed locust activity and infestation benchmarks have been met. All control should be undertaken as per the label or off label permit instructions.

Nymph control of spur-throated locusts is generally not economically viable except in high-value crops. The nymphs do not band together like the plague locust nymphs, making them more difficult to control.

Effective control of swarms is mostly done by aerial spraying, targeted at juvenile adults while roosting in the evening or early morning.