Australian plague locust update

Situation Update

Australian plague locusts (Chortoicetes terminifera) are native insects that, if left unmanaged, pose a serious threat to pastures, crops and horticulture. While its native range is in Queensland and New South Wales, outbreaks can intermittently occur in Victoria.

Information on field populations is incomplete due to delayed ground survey operations as a result of prolonged drought conditions in December and heavy rains later in the summer.

The overall outlook is for low-density populations across inland eastern Australia with possible localised higher densities developing in inland Queensland and parts of New South Wales.

There is a low likelihood of widespread infestations developing in autumn.

A summary of locust activity throughout Australia is provided by the Australian Plague Locust Commission via the Locust Bulletin.

Where are locusts found?

Locusts naturally inhabit the far north-west of NSW and adjacent areas of Queensland and South Australia and the south-west region of Western Australia.

Intermittent locust populations may also be seen in varying concentrations from season to season around regional Victoria. In any given year, it is possible that locust swarms could migrate into Victoria from interstate.

Who is responsible for managing locusts?

In Victoria, government, public land managers, private landholders and the community all have a role to play in managing locust populations and minimising their impact.

Landholders are responsible for reporting and managing locusts on their land.

Agriculture Victoria continues to undertake surveillance and works closely with all stakeholders to provide relevant, timely and accurate information on locust populations and movements throughout the season.

Locust management strategies

Ground control using a chemical insecticide is the most successful method to manage locusts. The most effective time to spray locusts is at the second or third instar stage (around two weeks after hatching), when hoppers are wingless and band densities reach or exceed 80 hoppers per square metre. At this stage, hoppers form large, slow-moving bands, providing a clear target for efficient and effective insecticide use. Programs to treat adult flying locusts are generally ineffective.

For more information about various control options for the management of locusts, see Managing Australian plague locusts.

Further information

Managing Australian plague locusts

Information for households and gardeners

Australian plague locust – biology and behaviour.

Visit Agriculture Victoria's Australian plague locust online learning module page for a twenty-minute interactive short learning course.