The Australian Plague Locust Commission (APLC) has released its October Locust Bulletin, providing an update on locust activity and potential infestation risks across eastern Australia. With locust activity increasing in parts of southern inland Australia and populations being monitored in Queensland, the bulletin highlights the outlook for three key locust species.
The following information is sourced from the APLC's October Locust Bulletin.
Australian plague locust
- Record February-March rainfall in the arid interior drove a large autumn build-up. Those locusts laid eggs, and widespread nymphs and small bands are now present across the southern part of inland eastern Australia (SA, Victoria and NSW).
- In Queensland, some adults have already emerged from overwintering nymphs in the far south-west.
- No bands large enough to justify aerial control have yet been detected in NSW, Victoria or SA, apart from approximately 200 km² treated in SA's Flinders district.
- APLC expects bands to form through October, swarms from late October and migrations from early November. If swarms reach areas that receive significant rainfall, the likelihood of a large summer generation across inland eastern Australia will increase.
- APLC rates the likelihood of a widespread infestation developing during the remainder of spring as moderate-high.
Spur-throated locust
- Numbers remain highest in Queensland's Central West, with smaller populations in the southern Channel Country.
- There is a moderate risk of a regional infestation in Central West Queensland, while a widespread infestation is considered less likely during the remainder of spring.
Migratory locust
- Numbers remain low in Queensland. None have been detected in the Central West or Channel Country since mid-August.
- There is a low-moderate risk of a regional infestation developing in the Central West. Forecast above-average rainfall could support localised medium-density populations in subtropical Queensland.
