Land managers should now be monitoring their land for egg beds and locust activity.
To help you identify the different phases of a locust lifecycle, DPI has uploaded the following videos which show locust hoppers in action and locust adults forming swarms.
Read our wide selection of factsheets and industry information to find out what you can do to help treat locusts this spring.
The DPI would like to thank the Department of Primary Industries New South Wales for providing some of this footage.
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Video One: Hoppers in action
The best time to treat locusts is in the period after the eggs hatch and before they are able to fly. At this stage the locusts, then known as hoppers, are wingless and form bands or groups.
This video shows hoppers in action at approximately the second and third instar and includes footage of these hoppers forming bands. This is the best stage for spraying with insecticides, with the period about ten days to two weeks after hatching the most effective and cost efficient.
Video Two: Close-up of hoppers
This footage shows you up close a locust hopper at approximately the fourth instar.
Video Three: Locust swarm
This footage demonstrates how quickly locusts can move once they are adults and start swarming. You will need to be careful when driving as it possible to encounter locusts swarms when travelling. Read our Driving Safely factsheet for helpful advice on what to do when you encounter locusts on the road.
Landholders and managers should report swarm activity and egg laying activity to the DPI locust hotline on 1300 135 559.
