📋 Tender Overview
With spring the peak hatching and banding time for Australian plague locusts the Department of Primary Industries and Regions PIRSA is asking landowners and primary producers particularly in the northern regions of the state to be on the lookout for any signs of the pest.Following earlier surveillance conducted by PIRSA in autumn this year it is anticipated that locust hatching and banding locusts are mainly expected in the upper northFlinders Ranges pastoral areas and the upper Eyre Peninsula. Parts of the mid north RiverlandMallee and areas of Eyre Peninsula may also see some activity.Regarded as a notifiable pest landowners or producers are required to report any sightings of Australian plague locusts activity by either contacting PIRSA through the Emergency Plant Pest Hotline 1800 084 881 or through the Locust Locator.Please include such information as date location GPS co-ordinates life stage i.e. adult hoppers description of location e.g. paddock tree line or creek line the density and size area of the infestation e.g. number of hoppers per square metre area infested and return contact details.PIRSA and the Australian Plague Locust Commission APLC are closely observing emerging locust populations not just within South Australia but also adjacent regions in Queensland NSW and Victoria. The department has also commenced an active surveillance program in the upper and mid north and upper Eyre Peninsula.In addition to being on the lookout for Australian plague locusts landowners and producers should factor in locusts as part of their current pest control planning following normal crop protection and insect control principles. Adults and hoppers can be controlled with standard APVMA registered or permitted insecticides with the most efficient and effective locust control is by directly target nymphs in late 2nd to 3rd instar stages when they concentrate into dense bands that march and feed. On properties where bands of locust hopper nymphs are present it is recommended to monitor and spray any hopper bands now to prevent feeding damage.
