Landholders asked to help minimise locust spread to prevent them reaching plague proportions

There have been numerous reports of locust bands in the Miles-Goondiwindi areas, with conditions favourable to the insect’s development.

With locusts detected in Goondiwindi, Western Downs and Maranoa Regional Council areas, landholders are urged to take treatment steps now to disrupt their life cycle.

The Australian Plague Locust Commission says that to minimise locust spread, it’s critical to focus efforts on disrupting the next generation of this pest in its early stages of development.

Landholders should contact their local agronomist to discuss control options for managing nymph bands.

According to the APLC’s latest Locust Bulletin, there have been numerous reports received of locust bands in the Miles-Goondiwindi areas, where there was the sudden appearance of locust adults in December, and which has been confirmed by Biosecurity Queensland staff.

Across the Western Downs and Goondiwindi Regional Councils, January rainfall was from 50mm to over 100mm, above to very much above average over a large proportion of the region.

The bulletin said pasture vegetation remained favourable for locusts.

The forecast is likely for the locust population to increase moderately in the remainder of summer and early autumn, with February rainfall forecast about average but above average forecasts for March and April.

The bulletin said swarms are likely to form from February onwards, and subsequent bands may develop from sporadic high-density breeding.

“There is a low probability of any significant immigration but a moderate probability of emigration to west and southwest.

“There is a moderate risk of a widespread infestation developing during the remainder of summer and early autumn.”

Landholders are being urged to report any sudden increased or decreased locust numbers, and any observations of egg laying to the Australian Plague Locust Commission on 1800 635 964 or visit the Australian Plague Locust Commission website.