DPI urges community to be prepared for locusts

MEDIA CONTACT: Natalie Pearson, DPI Media Unit, 0439 379 557
Media release
From the Department of Primary Industries
Thursday, September 11, 2008

DPI URGES COMMUNITY TO BE PREPARED FOR LOCUSTS

The Department of Primary Industries is preparing and raising awareness to combat a potential
Australian Plague Locust outbreak. Landholders in northern Victoria are being urged to take
action when they observe locust hatchings this October.

DPI’s Plague Locust Commissioner Andrew Tomkins said Departmental officers will be meeting
with landholders over the next few weeks to ensure they are ready to take action when locust
eggs begin to hatch.

“DPI Officers conducted an extensive survey across northern Victoria last autumn that
determined the location and density of adult Australian Plague Locusts that had entered the state
and laid eggs likely to hatch this spring,” Dr Tomkins said.

“Egg-bearing locusts were observed throughout the area bounded by a line from Bendigo to
Wangaratta and north to the Murray River.

“Locusts have the potential to severely damage pastures, cereal and horticulture crops across the
region, if control measures by landholders are not exercised.

“If no control is undertaken in October/November and there is adequate green feed for immature
locusts (hoppers) to complete their development and become winged adults, it is highly likely
there will be more significant and dispersed egg laying period in December/January.

“It is vital that we take action to control locusts during the hatching season to minimise any
potential damage.”

Landholders will be asked to report hatchings of locusts to the DPI in spring/summer this year
and to control infestations on their own property.

Locust control on private land is the responsibility of the landholder and by using a suitable,
registered insecticide, landholders will be able to reduce locust numbers.  DPI will undertake control of locust hoppers in specific circumstances primarily on public land and in some circumstances may spray on private land.

Some landholders in primary target areas will also be asked to sign a preliminary approval form
to allow DPI contractors to spray their property if required.

DPI Community Engagement Officers are requesting that landholders make the effort to attend a
neighbourhood meeting to assist in mapping property boundaries should an intensive control
program become necessary.

MEDIA CONTACT: Natalie Pearson, DPI Media Unit, 0439 379 557
Landholder action combined with support from DPI and the Australian Plague Locust
Commission will help to minimise damage to crops and pastures and further spread of the pest.
Information on the locust situation and locust biology and management can be found on the DPI
website at www.dpi.vic.gov.au/locusts.
To report locust hatchings or arrange a meeting in your neighbourhood contact the DPI Customer
Service Centre on 136 186.