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Locusts on the march in some Mid North districts

Media Release

Monday 6 February 2012

Biosecurity SA has reported a small rise in the frequency and number of reports to its Locust Hotline in recent days.
It is urging landholders and producers to carry out spot spraying in paddocks where locusts are a nuisance and to consider including an insecticide in any summer weed spraying being undertaken while locusts are present.
SARDI entomologist, Kym Perry, said the latest generation of locust hoppers were starting to band and march in certain parts of the Mid North.
“Reports in recent days have identified bands of locust nymphs to be confined to localised areas of this region from approximately Georgetown/Narridy to Koolunga/Yacka to Spalding/Washpool,” Mr Perry said.
“A survey last week by the Australia Plague Locust Commission confirmed that locust nymphs appear to be largely confined to this area. The APLC says most hoppers are in the final stages of development and can be expected to start fledging in the next week.
“Some small localised swarms may develop but this new generation of adults is unlikely to last long enough to pose a risk to crops during sowing later in the year.
“As conditions become increasingly drier, these adults may disperse across districts looking for green feed and could pose a nuisance in paddocks, roadsides or even around some home gardens.”
Mr Perry said that while this new generation of locusts was much smaller than populations present at the same time last year, there remained a risk of further localised and small-scale egg-laying by adults if suitable conditions occur.
Biosecurity SA is strongly encouraging producers to report any observations of egg laying activity by adult locusts in coming weeks to the Locust Hotline on 1800 833 451, so accurate advice can be presented on the risks ahead of sowing.
Incident Controller for the Locust Response Michael McManus said: “Producers also are recommended to undertake spot control on larger patches of locust hoppers where they can, or include an insecticide with summer weed control tank mixes where larger patches are present throughout paddocks.
 “This will help reduce populations and the chance of further populations developing during the sowing of crops.”