An upsurge in locust activity following recent rain is a sign that landholders need to remain vigilant in monitoring their land and reporting locusts.

NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald, said high levels of locust activity have been reported in isolated pockets in the central west, central north and north west of the State that received good rain.

"At Alectown north of Parkes high densities of adult locusts have been reported swarming, breeding and laying eggs, with young nymph locusts also being spotted," Minister Macdonald said.

"Egg laying has been reported at Bourke, Walgett and Coonamble, and Australian Plague Locust Commission surveys in the these areas have found high numbers of healthy adults carrying eggs."

NSW Plague Locust Commissioner Graeme Eggleston said hatching could begin within two weeks if weather conditions remain suitable and banding, which is the ideal time to treat locusts, could be underway two weeks later.

"It is extremely important for landholders in all areas that have had summer locust activity or recent rain to continue actively looking for locusts, notify their Livestock Health and Pest Authority of any locust activity and where practical, treat them," Mr Eggleston said.

"Although reports at the moment are patchy, survey results and the density and age range of locusts reported indicated that a renewed effort is needed.

"The rain has brought fresh pasture growth that could sustain a new generation that would threaten this season’s winter crops and lead to a further generation next spring.

"Landholders, the Department of Primary Industries, NSW Farmers’ Association and Livestock Health and Pest Authorities have been phenomenally successful to this point in their joint effort to minimise the impact of locusts.

"It has been estimated that $815 million in pastures and crops have been saved since last spring.

"Now is the time to capitalise on that success with a renewed effort to clean up remaining pockets before locusts have the opportunity build their numbers up again."

There have been more than 1250 reports of locust activity this year and enough insecticide distributed for ground treatment of 22,000 hectares of banding locusts.

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Media contact: Tom Braz 02 6391 3579, 0428 256 596