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Dpi Prepares For New Phase Of Locust Problem

Landholders in the Swifts Creek area have responded to The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) call to spray hopper locusts.

By Department of Primary Industries - 6th December 2005 - Back to News

Landholders in the Swifts Creek area have responded to The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) call to spray hopper locusts but despite reducing their numbers significantly many have become adults and are swarming near Swifts Creek.

"I congratulate landholders on the exhaustive effort that many have put into controlling hoppers," said Dr Malcolm Campbell, DPI Principle Scientist.

"We can be sure that if those landholders did not make the effort to spray so many hopper bands over the last few weeks, then the situation would be considerably worse.

"I estimate that the swarm currently at Swifts Creek would have been at least 10 times larger or denser if the local control had not occurred.

"DPI is beginning the next phase of our campaign to respond to the locust threat. With the assistance of the local community we will closely monitor the swarms and their movement.

"It is now critical that landholders look for, mark, and report any signs of egg laying.

"Eggs are likely to be laid any time during the rest of December and are likely to hatch in January. Soon after hatching there will be another opportunity to spray the hoppers," said Dr Campbell.

The recent rainfall will not kill the locusts. To the extent that it generates fresh grass or lucerne growth, or that the ground stays damp, it will improve the condition of the locusts, increase the likelihood that eggs will be developed, and facilitate egg laying.

"Locusts can be an inconvenience to people in towns at the adult stage but they are not dangerous.

"Swarms of locusts can cause problems for motorists moving through the swarms minimising visibility by dirtying windscreens and headlights. Motorists should carry rags and window cleaner if driving during the locust plague.

"Vehicle radiators can also become clogged causing overheating so drivers need to keep an eye on their vehicle temperature. The RACV recommends that drivers put fly screen to protect radiators.

"Locusts may damage people's lawns, there is little people can do except wait for them to move on. We do not advise that people spray them with insecticide, it will have little effect. The lawn will grow back when the locusts have left.

"We also recommend that people cover their favourite plants or take pot plants inside to prevent locusts getting to them.

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: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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