Update on locust activity

So far it seems that locust numbers in the cropping areas are lower than feared. Some small, localised bands have been treated by farmers. Most hoppers are reported from the edge of paddocks and roadsides as hoppers prefer open vegetation.

Further north, PIRSA is busy monitoring activity and has sprayed locust bands in the Flinders Ranges area, while closely monitoring high numbers near Yunta. While numbers are significant, populations do not always seem to develop high densities that could induce swarming, likely because feed is still abundant.

Some swarming might occur early November – some locusts may do an additional cycle on site – which could result in a second summer generation that is bigger than the first generation.

Swarms can migrate large distances (hundreds of kilometres) carried by the wind, which makes it almost impossible to predict when and where swarms might occur. While winter grains crops will be harvested, this could be a threat to irrigated summer crops.

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