Australian Plague Locusts naturally inhabit the far north west of New South Wales and adjacent areas of Queensland and South Australia, an area known as the channel country.
Although they are not native to Victoria, locusts may be seen in varying concentrations from season to season around regional Victoria.
In any given year, it is possible that locust swarms could migrate into Victoria from interstate and motorists should be prepared for a possible encounter with them.
Spotting the locusts at hatching time
Warm, moist weather conditions are the most favourable for locust egg hatchings. Locusts are hard to spot when they first emerge. Young immature locusts (called hoppers), are about 3mm long and pale in colour. Even newly-hatched locusts can cause damage and, as they grow, they can eat half their body weight every day.
Hoppers are wingless and unable to fly. At higher densities, they can move as a ‘band’ or group. Spraying with insecticides at this stage greatly reduces numbers and the size of outbreaks. If treatment activities are not undertaken when locusts hatch and there is enough green feed for hoppers to grow into winged adults, another egg laying period may occur.
Staying safe when driving
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Locust Swarm |
It is possible to encounter locusts when travelling around Victoria as locusts can fly hundreds of kilometers in a day and are swept along by wind currents.
Locusts may also swarm at night, so it’s important to make sure you keep your windscreen and headlights clean.
Locusts can be a road hazard
Locust swarms can obstruct your vision when driving so it’s important that you are prepared.
When driving, be aware that locust swarms can:
- reduce your ability to see the road and oncoming traffic
- block your vehicle’s radiator, causing overheating.
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Locust damage to radiator |
To prepare for your trip and a possible encounter with
locusts, you should:
- add some specially formulated insect cleaning agent to the windscreen washer system (available at larger supermarkets, auto accessory outlets and service stations)
- consider attaching an insect screen (not green in colour) to your external radiator air-inlet for extra protection pack a bag with spare water and extra insect cleaning agent and cloths/rags/brush.
Driving through a swarm of locusts
If you are having some trouble seeing the road because of the locusts:
- Slow 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 air-inlet
If you are having a lot of trouble seeing the road because of the locusts:
- Slow 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
Information on the locust situation and locust biology and management can be found at: www.dpi.vic.gov.au/locusts
Report locust activity or contact the DPI Locust Hotline on 1300 135 559
Disclaimer
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The advice provided in this publication is intended as a source of information only. Always read the label before using any of the products mentioned. 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.
Developed in conjunction with the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) Limited.
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Information on the locust situation and locust biology and management can be found at www.dpi.vic.gov.au/locusts Report locust hatchings or contact the DPI Locust Hotline on 1300 13 5559 |
