Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Latrobe Local News

Eggs The Next Locust Threat

Despite the enormous effort by landholders to control hopper locusts in the Swifts Creek area large numbers of adult locusts have been swarming around and in Swifts Creek for the past three weeks.

By Department of Primary Industries - 14th December 2005 - Back to News

Despite the enormous effort by landholders to control hopper locusts in the Swifts Creek area large numbers of adult locusts have been swarming around and in Swifts Creek for the past three weeks, said Dr Malcolm Campbell, Department of Primary Industries (DPI), Principal Scientist.

"The adults have begun laying eggs and it is extremely important for people to monitor where the egg beds are established and be prepared to spray them when they hatch and become hoppers.

"Female locusts drill holes in soil and lay eggs. Each female can lay 30-50 eggs in each batch and may lay several batches.

"This means that in the next hatching, which depending on the weather is probably as early as the beginning of January 2006, we can expect a large increase in locust numbers.

"It is important that landholders are prepared to spray hopper locusts when they hatch which could begin in early January and continue throughout the month.

"The swarm, while moving around the area to some extent, has not moved out," said Dr Campbell.

"Swifts Creek sits in a depression surrounded almost completely by hills which combined with the good feed available in the form of grass has probably preventing the locusts from moving away.

"The adult locusts could live for another 4 – 8 weeks," said Dr Campbell.

Landholders are encouraged to continue to report locust activity particularly where egg beds are established.

A monitoring/mapping procedure, to track and record sightings, egg beds and adult locusts is established, with the information readily available on the DPI Plague locust website www.dpi.vic.gov.au.

The website provides regular updates on the locust situation across the state, as well as information about the lifecycle of the Australian Plague Locust, fact sheets, and other material to assist the community.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

• Bass Coast Shire Council invites community to help shape the next stage of Climate Action Plan at Berninneit in Cowes 25 October 2026
  Bass Coast Shire Council invites the community to a Climate Action Plan Review Workshop to reflect on progress, share ideas, and help shape the next five years of local climate action.
• Swifts Creek Recreation Reserve officially opens during Omeo District Football Netball League Grand Finals celebrations on Saturday
  Swifts Creek will celebrate the official opening of its $2.9 million upgraded recreation reserve during the Omeo District Football Netball League Grand Final on Saturday, 6 September 2025.
• Danny O'Brien criticises Labor's police station maintenance cuts despite backflip restoring partial funding for grounds upkeep
  Danny O'Brien has criticised Labor's partial backflip on police station maintenance cuts, saying Gippsland officers deserve safe, clean workplaces and stronger government support amid rising regional crime rates.
• Danny O’Brien denounces Port Welshpool Coastguard funding snub despite 25-year-old vessel and critical rescue role
  Danny O’Brien criticised the state government for overlooking Port Welshpool Coastguard, leaving its 25-year-old vessel unreliable, and urged clarity and reconsideration of funding decisions for critical local rescue services.
• Danny O’Brien urges Gippsland landholders to understand new property taxes and reporting obligations effective from 1 January 2026
  Danny O’Brien urged Gippsland landholders to understand new property taxes and reporting obligations from 1 January 2026, warning compliance is essential to avoid penalties despite Nationals’ opposition.
• Darren Chester celebrates completion of $2M Swifts Creek Recreation Reserve redevelopment ahead of grand final
  Darren Chester welcomed the $2 million Swifts Creek Recreation Reserve redevelopment, delivering modern facilities, improved amenities, and new courts, officially opening September 6 as the community hosts its first grand final in 25 years.
• East Gippsland Youth Art Prize 2025 celebrates creativity, talent, and next generation artists
  East Gippsland’s 2025 Youth Art Prize showcased young artists aged 12–25, celebrating creativity, talent, and community engagement, with winners announced at the Forge Theatre and Arts Hub in Bairnsdale.
• Tim Bull says rising retail crime reflects Victoria’s weak approach, despite claims of toughest bail laws
  Retail theft is surging in East Gippsland, with repeat offenders emboldened. Tim Bull calls for tougher penalties, accountability, and support for struggling households to protect businesses and local communities.
• Skeene Creek Farm launches, driving sustainable agriculture, innovation, and resilience across East Gippsland region
  Skeene Creek Farm launches near Bairnsdale, transforming underutilised land into a sustainable agriculture hub, promoting circular economy, innovation, environmental resilience, and practical research for East Gippsland farmers.
• Martin Cameron says new emergency services tax replaces fire levy, adding enormous pressure to struggling small businesses
  Latrobe Valley small businesses face soaring costs as Labor's new Emergency Services Tax replaces the Fire Services Levy, with Nationals warning it punishes regional communities and fuels insolvencies amid financial mismanagement.
• Tim Bull says East Gippsland faces a housing crisis, with social homes declining despite population growth
  Victoria’s social housing crisis deepens as Labor policies drive rental providers away, reducing stock. Tim Bull warns record waiting lists and rising homelessness demand urgent government action.
• Head south to Lake Tyers Beach, admire Stony Creek Trestle Bridge, enjoy swimming, fishing, picnics, then dine at Lake Tyers Beach Tavern
  Morwell River Falls Reserve, near Boolarra, offers a fern-filled valley, cascading waterfalls, and scenic pools, just over two hours from Melbourne, perfect for a short, peaceful bushland walk.