Current locust situation

The overall locust population declined to low levels across inland eastern Australia due to low rainfall. Some medium-density adults persisted in southern parts of the Channel Country and some parts of central New South Wales. Surveys identified very low numbers of adults in South Australia and occasional adults and nymphs in the northwest Victoria. Low numbers of adults were identified in the Upper Western district of NSW and the Central Highlands district of Queensland. No locust captures were recorded by any light traps in Dulkaninna of South Australia, Fowlers Gap and White Cliffs of NSW. The UNSW insect monitoring radar in Hay did not detect any significant migration of locust. Several reports from the Central Highlands were assessed by the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and confirmed to be Migratory Locust.

Much of the arid/semi-arid interior of eastern Australia received less than 5 mm of rainfall in November, while the inland had monthly rainfall totals of less than 25 mm except for northern and north-eastern parts, ranging from very much below average to very much above average levels. November temperatures were from two degrees below averages in the southwest to two degrees above averages in the northeast inland, varying from below average to very much above average levels. With the forecast for below average rainfall and warmer temperatures for December and about average rainfall for January, habitats will likely remain unfavourable for locust breeding over much of inland eastern Australia this summer. With continuous increase of sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean, the El Niño–Southern Oscillation indicate a weak La Niña pattern developing.

The overall outlook is for low-density populations across inland eastern Australia, with possible localised higher densities developing in inland Queensland and parts of NSW if sufficient rainfall is received.

There is a low likelihood of widespread infestations developing in late spring and early summer.

The overall population remained at low-medium levels across inland eastern Australia with consistent medium-density adults detected in Central Highlands, Central West of Queensland and adjacent regions. Low-density adults were occasionally identified in surveyed areas of NSW. No capture was recorded by any light traps in White Cliffs and Fowlers Gap of NSW, and Dulkaninna of South Australia. With good November rainfall received by the Central Highlands and Darling Downs districts and adjacent regions, and the forecast of above average rainfall in parts of eastern Queensland, some habitats should remain favourable for locust survival and breeding.

There is a low-moderate risk of a regional infestation in Central Highlands, North West and Central West of Queensland. However, a widespread infestation is less likely to occur this summer.

The population continued to decrease and persisted only in some parts of the Central Highlands of Queensland and adjacent regions where several localised high-density populations (swarms or bands) were identified or reported. The Queensland Department of Primary Industries confirmed several reports from the Central Highlands in late November. With the good background population and heavy November rainfall, sufficient summer rainfall will encourage locust breeding and produce some localised high-density populations.

There is a low-moderate risk of a regional infestation developing in the Central Highlands and a low risk in the Central West and Darling Downs this summer.