Crops in Australia Threatened by Locust Plague of Biblical Proportion

Locust Alert: the Next Generation

January 12, 2011

ABC Rural - Almost like a title from a horror movie, the next generation of locust hatchings have started and authorities are keen to hear of any new sightings.

Biosecurity SA reports the locust hotline has been busy since New Year with renewed sightings of adult swarms, new hatchlings and also of egg laying across the Riverland, Mallee, and to a lesser extent in the Mid North and Barossa Valley.

The Biosecurity SA Locust Response Incident Controller, Michael McManus, says its vital people report any locust activity so the risk can be assessed.

"Biosecurity SA will not be spraying adult locusts and all landowners are reminded its their responsibility to control locusts on their own property, which includes local councils and areas such as ovals and parks."

Last year nearly half a million hectares across the state were sprayed in an extensive control program.

Mr McManus says they are closely monitoring the locust hotline reports to keep a close check on the second generation of locust hatchings.

"We are also monitoring the situation across the borders in New South Wales and Victoria in conjunction with other stakeholders including the Australian Plague Locust Commission.

"At this stage landowners need to control hopper bands and the rebate scheme is unlikely to be extended unless this second generation poses a significant threat to agricultural production.

"We expect to see flying adult locusts and an increase in hopper nymphs right through till February.

"Flying adults are difficult to combat, but there's opportunities for people to spray at dawn and dusk when locusts have settled on the ground."

Eligible landowners are reminded to lodge chemical rebate applications no later than 31st of March 2011.

This includes individuals who have used chemicals to spray locusts last year and live in the eligible regions.

Crops in Australia Threatened by Locust Plague of Biblical Proportion

October 2, 2010

The Telegraph - An area of farmland the size of Spain could be destroyed by a swarm of locusts in western Australia.

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September 27, 2010

UPI - Australia faces the prospect of the worst plague of locusts to hit the country in 75 years, which could cost billions in damage to farms, experts say.

Prolonged warm, wet weather last summer meant that three generations of locusts were born, each one up to 150 times larger than the previous generation, Britain's The Independent reported Sunday.

After spending the winter underground, the first generation of 2010 is already hatching, and after the wettest August in seven years the climate is again perfect, the newspaper said.

The juveniles will spend 20 to 25 days eating and growing until population pressure will force them to swarm, scientists say.

Experts fear this year's infestation could be the worst in the 75 years since records were first kept.

"South Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria are all going to get hammered," locust expert Greg Sword, an associate professor at the University of Sydney, said.

A half-mile wide swarm of locusts can chew through 10 tons of crops in a day.

The New South Wales Farmers Association said an area the size of Spain was affected, and the government of Victoria alone forecasts $1.9 billion in damage, The Independent said.