Locusts

2012/13 Locust Season

Following ongoing surveillance by authorities in the State’s central, north and far west, NSW is not expecting significant locust activity for the 2012/13 season. While there may be some sporadic activity in parts of the Riverina and Western areas, it is not expected to pose any significant threat to agriculture. Department of Primary Industries (DPI), along with the Livestock Health and Pest Authority (LHPA), will advise if any significant locust activity develops.

It is important landholders remain vigilant and report any locust activity to your local LHPA.

Further information on the current locust situation is accessible via the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry website.

EOIs

Air Operators can contact NSW Rural Fire Service for "Expression of interest for call when needed helicopters and fixed wing aircraft, to support emergency and other operations".

Spur throated locusts

• Spur Throated Locust
  
• Spur Throated Locust Questions & Answers (FAQs)
  
• Spur-throated locust information (www.daff.gov.au)
  

Chemicals

• Insecticide questions and answers
  
• Obtaining chemicals from LHPA
  
• Chemical MSDSs, labels and permits
  
• PROfarm training and accreditation courses for locust spraying
  
• Australian plague locust spray record  51.9 KB
  
  Form that can be used to meet Pesticides Act 1999 chemical recording requirements
• Public land manager spray notification templates
  
  To be used by Public Land Managers under the Pesticides Act and Regulations to meet their notification requirements.
• Game meat harvesting in locust control areas
  
• Pesticides - a guide to their effects on honey bees
  
• Pesticides - reducing damage to honey bees
  
• Controlling plague locusts in dairying areas
  
• Locusts, grasshoppers and livestock residues (www.safemeat.com.au)
  
  Information on witholding periods and export intervals for locust control insecticides.
• Management of residues following locust control - common questions (www.apvma.gov.au)
  
• Jen-ell mister user guide  1.0 MB
  
• Spraying locusts with Green Guard®  62.9 KB
  
• Locust sprayer instructions (Stoll spraying equipment)  106.9 KB
  

Factsheets

• Adult plague locusts and swarms factsheet  268.0 KB
  
• Protecting health and safety in locust operations  71.3 KB
  
• Biology and behaviour of the Australian plague locust
  
• Plague locust control for the home gardener and nursery areas
  
• Locusts – egg laying and egg beds
  
• Locust damage in crops and pastures
  
• Hatching and control of Australian plague locusts
  
• The Australian plague locust landholder control strategies for NSW
  

Videos

• The Australian plague locust
  
  Characteristics, lifecycle, damage and control. Download the transcript (62 Kb, DOC).
• Spray mister calibration for plague locusts
  
  A demonstration of how to calibrate a spray mister. Download the transcript (27 Kb, DOC).

Industry specific information

• Graziers info on residues [www.safemeat.com.au]
  
  Information on witholding periods and export intervals for locust control insecticides.
• Grain growers factsheet [www.grdc.com.au]
  
• Wine industry recommendations [www.awri.com.au]
  
• Dairy industry guidance [www.dairyaustralia.com.au]
  
• Benefit-Cost Analysis of locust control operations for 2010-11 [www.daff.gov.au]
  

Operations and planning

• Forms & templates
  
• Policies
  
• Procedures
  
• Risk assessments
  
• Program and control strategies