Australian Plague Locusts
Spring 2010
Identification and Reporting
Current Situation
Victoria is facing what could be the biggest locust plague for
75 years. During April this year adult locust population levels
increased in northern Victoria, with migrations from New
South Wales and within Victoria. Dense swarms and egg-laying
activity occurred in the Swan Hill, Mallee and Wimmera districts
of the Northwest, along the Murray River and in areas around
Bendigo and Shepparton. Swarms were also reported as far
south as Horsham.
Large numbers of locust eggs are expected to hatch from late
September and early October, beginning in far northwest
Adult Australian plague locust with red shank on leg
Victoria and progressively moving south and could even reach
as far as Melbourne. Locust swarms could also disrupt transport,
Locusts are also hard to spot when they first emerge as young
sporting and other outdoor activities.
immature locusts (called hoppers). They are only about 3mm
If locust hoppers are left untreated it is estimated that the
long and pale in colour. Newly hatched locusts can cause
plagues could cost Victorian agriculture up to $2billion.
considerable damage and can consume half their body weight in
Also if there is enough green feed for hoppers to grow into
food per day.
winged adults, another egg laying period may occur in
Hoppers, which are wingless and unable to fly, move as a ‘band’
December and January.
or group, with up to thousands of hoppers for every square
The Victorian community can help combat the locust threat this
metre of the band. Spraying with insecticides at this stage is
spring by reporting any locust activity to the DPI Locust Hotline
very effective and can greatly reduce numbers.
on 1300 135 559 or via the DPI website
If there are hopper densities and bands that are greater than
www.dpi.vic.gov.au/locusts
80 hoppers per square metre then it is highly likely that they
Recognising an Australian Plague Locust
are APL. Also, if there was known locust swarm and egg laying
activity in the area in Autumn then it is likely the specimen is
The Australian Plague Locust (APL)is similar in appearance to
APL.
grasshoppers. The adult APL can identified by the large dark
spot on the tip of the hind wings and the distinctive red shanks
on the hind leg. Other species may have coloured portions of
the hind wing but in different places. The body colour varies;
it can be grey, brown or green. Male locusts are 25-30 mm long
while females are 30-42 mm long.
Immature plague locusts are referred to as hoppers or nymphs.
Their wings are not fully developed and the red colour of the
hindleg shanks is less developed than in adults. This makes it
hard to distinguish them from immature stages of other locusts
and grasshoppers.
Treating Locusts
It is important that you are aware that the Australian Plague
Locust has been declared an exotic pest under the Plant Health
and Plant Products Act 1995, and this declaration places two
important obligations on all landholders and land managers.
All landholders and land managers must notify DPI of the
presence of locust activity on their land by calling the DPI
Locust Hotline on 1300 135 559 or to the DPI website
www.dpi.vic.gov.au/locusts.
All land managers must treat locust hoppers on their land when
numbers reach or exceed 80 locust hoppers per square metre.
This must be completed before locusts grow wings and are able
to fly.
Failure to notify or treat locusts is a breach under the
legislation.
All chemical use must be in accordance with State laws and
regulations, including record keeping requirements. For
information, visit the DPI Chemical Standards website at
www.dpi.vic.gov.au/chemicalstandards
The best time to spray locusts is in the second and third instar
stage, after the eggs hatch and before they are able to fly.
Egg laying
Driving Hazards
It is possible to encounter locusts when travelling around
Victoria as locusts can fly hundreds of kilometres in a day and
are swept along by wind currents.
Once locust eggs hatch in spring, they will be on the move and
you need to be prepared for a possible encounter with them,
especially if you are heading north and over the border into
other states.
Locusts may also swarm at night, so it’s also important to make
sure you keep your headlights clean.
You may need to advise motorists about what to do should they
encounter a swarm of locusts, therefore it is important that you
are informed of the following:
When driving, be aware that locust swarms can:
Fledging
• reduce your ability to see the road and oncoming traffic
• block your vehicle’s radiator, causing overheating.
To prepare for your trip and a possible encounter with locusts,
it’s advisable to:
5th instar
Adult maturation
(about 2 weeks)
4th instar
Hopper
development
(about 5 weeks)
Egg incubation
(about 2 weeks)
Egg pods
1st instar
3rd instar
2nd instar
Target these stages with
insecticide application
Diagram of a locust lifecycle
At this stage the locusts, known as hoppers, are wingless and
form large, slow moving bands, providing a clear target for
efficient chemical use. Spraying with insecticides at this stage
is very effective and can greatly reduce numbers, with the
period of about two weeks after hatching the most effective
and cost efficient.
The most effective treatment is achieved when hopper band
densities reach or exceed 80 hoppers per square metre or when
they form bands, and the best time of the day to spray hoppers
is late morning through to late afternoon when they are most
active and most visible.
DPI and the Bureau of Meteorology are working together to
provide land managers with forecast advice to help monitor
locust activity this spring. You can read more information about
forecast advice at www.dpi.vic.gov.au/locusts.
• a dd some specially formulated insect cleaning agent to
the windscreen washer system (available at supermarkets,
auto accessory outlets and service stations)
• consider attaching an insect screen on your external
radiator air-inlet for extra protection (not green in colour)
• pack a bag with spare water and extra insect cleaning agent
and cloths/rags/brush (for cleaning your windscreen)
• check the DPI website for the latest locusts information
www.dpi.vic.gov.au/locusts or call the DPI Locust Hotline
on 1300 135 559.
If you are having some trouble seeing the road because of
the locusts:
• s low down - gradually reduce your speed
and continue driving carefully
• turn on your headlights - to alert
oncoming traffic of your presence
• be aware that traffic coming from the opposite
direction will also have reduced visibility
• use your windscreen wipers to clear locusts from
your windscreen - well-fed locusts leave a residue
of body parts and fat at the point of impact
• monitor temperature gauge on your
dashboard – dead locusts can reduce air flow
to an engine and cause overheating
• pull over & use cleaning agent and cloths/rags to remove
residue from windscreen, wipers headlights and radiator airinlet.
If you are having a lot of trouble seeing the road because of
the locusts:
• s low down - gradually reduce your speed
and stop only where it is safe to do so
• turn off your engine - to avoid overheating
• turn on your headlights - to alert
oncoming traffic of your presence
• remain in your car until swarm subsides
• when visibility improves, apply water and insect cleaning
agent and use cloths/rags to remove locust residue from
windscreen, wipers, headlights and radiator air-inlet
• remain alert to danger of oncoming traffic
• resume driving carefully.
Chemical Health and Safety
Every effort will be made to ensure that communities are not
exposed to insecticides during the response campaign.
Locust campaigns have been regularly and safely conducted in
the past.
However, there may be incidents where a member of the public
has been directly exposed to agricultural chemicals. If the
person has been directly exposed to agricultural chemicals and
you are concerned about possible health effects, encourage
them to consult their doctor for assessment and treatment.
It is also recommended that they contact their local council
Environmental Health Officer.
If you have any immediate concerns about the effect of
chemical exposure, please contact the Poisons Information
Centre on 13 11 26.
What you can do
If you see locust hatching on roadsides or locust swarm
activity around Victoria, please call the DPI Locust Hotline
on 1300 135 559 and report the activity.
Be aware the locusts are a driving hazard and that you may need
to inform motorists about safe driving instructions.
Radiator damaged by locusts
Published by the Department of Primary Industries
GPO Box 4440
Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia
July 2010
© The State of Victoria, 2010
This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in
accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968.
Authorised by: Victorian Government, 1 Spring Street
Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
Printed by: Marketing and Communications
ISBN 978-1-74264-510-0 (print)
You should also be aware that there will be spraying activities
undertaken throughout the North of the state which could
result in road closures or other driving hazards.
Disclaimer
This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees
do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate
for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other
consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.
For more information about DPI visit the website at www.dpi.vic.gov.au or call the Customer
Service Centre on 136 186.
The information in this brochure was correct at the time of printing and is subject to change
without notice.
If you would like this information/publication in an accessible format (such as
large print or audio) please call the Customer Service Centre on 136 186,
TTY 1800 122 969, or email [email protected]
Adult female laying Eggs
Hopper at first instar stage
Plague locust showing black spot on hind wing
Locust hoppers forming bands
Swarm of plague locusts
www.dpi.vic.gov.au/locusts
Locust control starts at your place
10/LO/0038
Hoppers hatching