Thirteen Victorian LGAs report sightings of locusts
More than a dozen local government areas have reported sightings of locusts this summer. Here’s what Agriculture Victoria recommends farmers do if they spot the insect.
MORE locust sightings have been reported in East Gippsland this month, adding to concerns after earlier sightings in western and northwestern Victoria.
So far no farmers have seen any significant crop damage as a result.
There are currently 13 local government areas where the pest has been spotted, including Benalla, Buloke, East Gippsland, Gannawarra, Hindmarsh, Horsham, Loddon, Mildura, Mornington Peninsula, Northern Grampians, South Grampians, Swan Hill and Yarriambiack.
Senior Entomologist and Victorian Plague Locust Commissioner Dr Kyla Finlay said locusts were a major threat to crop farms during harvest.
“In grain cropping areas, large numbers of locusts can clog up harvest machinery and there is a limit to how many locust parts are allowable in grain for export when populations are high,” she said.
The latest sightings have come from thirty-three specimens in the Tambo Valley. While the area is not known as a traditional cropping region, there are horticulture and viticulture farms nearby, and Dr Finlay said the pests in large numbers can still impact those properties.
“For livestock farmers relying on pasture and summer fodder crops, locusts have the potential to strip these crops.”
Agriculture Victoria is working to identify what kinds of species have been sighted.
“An initial visual identification of the specimens from images suggest the majority may be Yellow winged locust and other native grasshopper species, with relatively few Australian plague locust.
“However, the Yellow winged locust can behave in a similar manner to Australian plague locust and form high density swarms and bands,” she said.
Agriculture Victoria Industry Development Officer John Commins said farmers can potentially protect fodder crops by laying down a barrier spray around crops to stop young locusts in their tracks when they are banding and marching.
Dr Finlay said any property owners that spot any type of locust this summer should inform themselves on how to respond.
“Landholders also need to be aware of their responsibilities with respect to insecticide use such as maximum allowable residue levels and chemical withholding periods for grain, hay, pastures, meat and milk.
“We’re asking farmers to report any sightings to Agriculture Victoria which will help with planning and management of locust activity,” she said.
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