Australian plague locusts

Swarms of Australian plague locusts have continued to develop in central west New South Wales in recent weeks. The Australian Plague Locust Commission APLC, who coordinate monitoring of locust populations in inland eastern Australia throughout the year, have warned that further swarms are likely to form during November in the Coonamble–Gulargambone–Baradine, Quambone–Warren, Nyngan–Tottenham and Tullamore–Peak Hill areas. High density egg laying is particularly likely in those areas that received heavy rainfall in late October. Landholders in affected areas are advised to continue reporting any locust activity to their relevant Livestock Health and Pest Authority (LHPA).

Agronomist, Matthew Burkitt (Central West Agricentre), reports finding isolated patches of locust ‘hoppers’ in the areas northwest of Parkes and southwest of Peak Hill, in the Central West Slopes and Plains district of New South Wales. Some crops in the region have experienced some minor losses (defoliation), and a small number of paddocks have been sprayed to prevent larger losses. Matthew says that if locust numbers continue to increase in the coming weeks the crops of most concern will be those which still have some green material remaining, including some later sown cereals and field peas.

Australian plague locusts (Chortoicetes terminifera) can cause severe damage to pastures and a range of field crops if they are not controlled. To prevent the build up of large populations, locusts need to be controlled during their early stages as ‘hoppers’ when they are unable to fly. Once locusts reach the adult stage, controlling them becomes difficult and expensive. Adults can move long distances very quickly and have been recorded travelling hundreds of kilometres in one night driven by wind. Several chemicals are available for controlling Australian plague locusts.

Australian plague locusts are readily distinguished from other locust species by the large dark spot present on the tip of each hindwing and red coloured shanks on their hindlegs. Adults are up to 40 mm long with a variable body colour of grey, brown or green. They are the most important pest species of locust in Australia due to the area infested and frequency of plagues. Click here for images of the Australian plague locust, and refer to the APLC website for further information on the current locust situation, as well as the NSW DPI website for information and maps of recent locust reports and swarming activity.