Locust update (30 March 2015) - Central West NSW
Channel: Central West Local Land Services
Date: 2015-03-30

Central West Local Land Services is encouraging landholders to watch for egg laying and hatching, and report any locust activity

The Weetaliba, Tooraweenah, Binnaway, Dapper and Dunedoo areas are the main areas of concern for locust activity.

However, all locust activity across central west NSW needs to be reported to Local Land Services to allow regional planning and control.

The cooler weather will reduce locust movement. Swarm movement is slowing up and they are nowhere near as mobile as they have been in the past.

If you have them in your area, you should expect to them to hang around. Their movement is really limited.

Anything laid now will overwinter and come out in late September and October.

We again re-enforced the need for landholders to report locust activity.

We are seeing more egg laying, particularly Dapper area south west of Dunedoo and no doubt other areas too.

Any activity needs to be reported so we have a good overview of what is happening in the local area.

Even low density swarms need to be reported and monitored. They will still pull together in bands to lay.

If you have 15 mm or more rain and have had eggs laid before mid-March, you should expect to have more locust hatching this Autumn.

All locust activity must be reported to Local Land Services to help staff manage the issue.

Local Land Services is currently advising central west landholders to:

·         mark any known beds and talk to Local Land Services staff on monitoring and management

·         monitor for hatching, particularly if you have had 15 mm of rain or more

·         report any locust activity, particularly locusts carrying eggs and laying activity.

Landholders can report any locust activity through contacting their Local Land Services office, calling 1300 795 299 or visiting www.lls.nsw.gov.au/centralwest

Central West Local Land Services will continue to work with the community to manage locusts.