SARDI Pestfacts: Locust Update
The Department of Primary Industries and Regions and SARDI are providing a further update to Pestfact subscribers on the locust situation in South Australia as activity continues to develop across a number of regions. Read on to learn more about the latest conditions, preparedness and response activities, and support to assist landholders in managing locust risks.
What we know
Recent surveillance, landholder reports and advice from the Australian Plague Locust Commission (APLC) indicate:
- The critical period for surveillance and potential control activities has begun.
- Increased emergence and banding is expected over the next few weeks. Locust banding is the formation of groups of young, juvenile locusts, known as hopper bands. Hopper bands move together across the landscape and are often the most effective stage to target for control.
- Initial hatching has been identified in some parts of the Riverland, Mallee, Eyre Peninsula, Flinders Ranges and pastoral regions.
- Multiple bands and sub-bands have been identified between Hawker, Yarrah, Barndioota, Craddock and Blinman, including high-density bands (>500).
- Reports have been received from the Mallee region, east of Loxton, confirming initial hatchings.
Based on APLC forecasts and current activity, outbreak-level locust populations are expected in parts of the state this season. While PIRSA’s surveillance program helps identify emerging hotspots and inform response activities, the mobile nature of locusts means it is difficult to predict exactly where the highest populations and impacts will occur.
- Monitor and report all locust activity.
- Treat early if locusts are detected. Find out more about treatment and control options.
- Take advantage of support available through the Locust Chemical Rebate Scheme where eligible.
- Use only products registered or permitted by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for their situation.
Advice should be sought from an agronomist, chemical reseller, PIRSA or another suitably qualified adviser before undertaking control activities.
If you see locust activity, report it to PIRSA by calling the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881 or through PIRSA’s online plant pest reporting form.