Locusts are not expected to swarm in the district this summer, but landholders are still being encouraged to report any sightings to the authorities.
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The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s December locust bulletin said with forecasts indicating below average rainfall and warmer temperatures for December and about average rainfall for January, habitats will “likely remain unfavourable for locust breeding over much of inland eastern Australia this summer”.
“The overall outlook indicates low-density populations across inland eastern Australia, with possible localised higher densities developing in inland Queensland and parts of NSW if sufficient rainfall is received,” the bulletin said.
“There is a low likelihood of widespread infestations developing in late spring and early summer.”
At the time of reporting, the University of NSW insect monitoring radar in Hay did not detect any significant migration of locust activity during monitoring periods.
Authorities emphasise the importance of reporting any locust activity as soon as possible to local biosecurity authorities or to the Australian Plague Locust Commission. A toll-free call can be made to the Commission on 1800 635 962, with an answering machine available for after-hours calls.
Reports can also be emailed to locust.report@agriculture.gov.au or submitted through the web page at https://www.agriculture.gov.au/pests-diseases-weeds/locusts/landholders/reporting_locusts.
“Early detection and reporting remains crucial for effective locust management and preventing potential crop damage across agricultural regions,” the bulletin stated.
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