Farmers on Alert as Locusts Move to South Australia

By Amelia Walters

ABC Riverland

Topic: Agricultural Pest Control

In short

The Department of Primary Industries and Regions will send staff to the Riverland to monitor locust numbers.

The South Australian Plague Locust Commissioner says the current locust migration is not an outbreak, but it is being watched.

What's Next?

Locust migration has also been seen in the Upper Eyre Peninsula, but surveying is unlikely.

Many locust swarms in the Riverland have put farmers and authorities on alert.

Adult Australian plague locusts likely came from western New South Wales, with first sightings last week.

A small team will travel to the Riverland to monitor the locusts.

People have called to say they've seen locusts on roads and properties.

Locusts have been seen in Loxton, Waikerie, Renmark, and Murtho.

The department is not calling it an outbreak, but that could change.

An outbreak happens when adults lay eggs and they hatch in large numbers.

Outbreaks usually occur in spring.

Hundreds of locusts were caught in Waikerie.

Staff will try to understand how many locusts are in the area and if they are laying eggs.

Finding egg-laying activity is not easy.

Monitoring will help predict what will happen in spring.

'Another blow' to farmers

The last outbreak in SA was in 2010 and cost $12.8 million.

Farmer Tom Fielke has seen many locusts on his property and will control them if necessary.

Not controlling locusts can be very costly.

It's been 15 years since the last plague on Tom Fielke's property.

Tom Fielke thinks locusts will target green paddocks first.

If farmers have emerging crops, there is some risk.

Locusts eat green things, so farmers can control them if they have emerging crops.

'Serious biosecurity issue'

There are four main grasshopper species that can become locusts in SA.

Heavy, unexpected rain helps locusts breed.

Locusts have been spotted in Renmark and Loxton.

Good conditions for breeding exist due to abundant vegetation.

Hopefully, winter will stop the locusts from multiplying.

Locusts have always been a serious biosecurity issue.

Previous locust monitoring was done from Adelaide.

A proactive approach to locusts is key.

If locusts build up and are missed, it can be a problem.

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More detections in SA

There was one locust report in the Upper Eyre Peninsula, but surveying won't be done yet.

Surveying might be done later if more reports come in.

The mid-north pastoral area is where locusts often build up, so surveying may be done later.

Teams may be sent to the mid-north pastoral area to survey locusts.

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