Current locust situation

The overall locust population increased moderately to low-medium levels across inland eastern Australia with some localised high-density adults persistent in the Girilambone-Nyngan areas and medium-density adults present consistently in the Ivanhoe-Jerilderie areas of New South Wales in December. Limited surveys were conducted in December in NSW due to road accessibility. Surveys identified a small Low-Density Swarm in the Girilambone-Nyngan areas with some Numerous-density adults detected in other parts of the Central West district. Frequent Numerous-density adults were identified in the Ivanhoe and Hay-Jerilderie areas with some Concentration-density adults and occasional nymphs discovered. Adult activities were reported from these regions and several bands were reported later from the Collie-Quambone-Coonamble areas. Some Numerous-density adults were also identified in the Tibooburra area. Nil capture was recorded by light traps in Dulkaninna of South Australia, Fowlers Gap and White Cliffs of NSW, and Thargomindah of Queensland for December. The UNSW insect monitoring radar in Hay was not accessible due to the disruption of Telstra mobile network upgrade.

Most habitats remained unfavourable for locust breeding during December. The inland eastern Australia received nil – 25 mm of rainfall over much of the arid interior but up to 150 mm in some parts of the Central Highlands and Darling Downs districts of Queensland, ranging from very much below average to very much above average levels historically. December temperatures over inland eastern Australia were 1–3 degrees above averages at above average to very much above average levels. With the forecast for above average rainfall for January and February and likely frequent storm weather during summer, localised breeding is likely to continue under favourable habitat conditions, and a moderate increase of locust populations is possible in some parts of inland eastern Australia especially the inland Queensland.

The overall outlook is for low-medium density populations across inland eastern Australia, with possible localised high densities of summer generation developing in Queensland and parts of NSW. It is less likely that any large bands or swarms will develop until March 2025.

There is a low likelihood of widespread infestations developing during summer.

The overall population likely remained at low levels across inland eastern Australia with some medium-density populations present in inland eastern Australia. Limited surveys conducted in December identified Isolated-Numerous density adults in New South Wales and southern part of Queensland with occasional nymphs detected. A few locusts were captured in late December by the light trap in White Cliffs of New South Wales with no captures by other light traps. With heavy rainfall in some parts of Queensland and NSW and the forecast for above average rainfall for January and February, habitat conditions should improve and breeding is likely to continue under favourable habitat conditions. Localised high-density nymphs may develop in some areas of central northern NSW and Queensland.

There is a low risk of a widespread infestation. Though, a general increase in numbers is likely to continue with forecast rainfall in favourable habitats during summer.

The overall population was likely to remain at very low levels across inland eastern Australia. Limited December surveys only identified a few adults. However, with more than 50 mm of rainfall during December over the traditional locust habitats in Queensland and NSW and the forecast above average rainfall for January and February, localised breeding is likely to continue under favourable habitats. High-density populations are unlikely to result from the current very low background population levels.

There is a very low risk of a widespread infestation developing during summer.