Current locust situation

The overall locust population remained at low to medium levels across much of inland eastern Australia with a moderate increase in the Central West district of New South Wales in January. Surveys conducted from mid-January identified frequent medium-density nymphs with occasional high-densities detected in the Warren-Mount Foster-Quambone-Coonamble-Baradine-Gilgandra-Collie areas, where consistent medium to high density adults were detected later. Medium-density nymphs and adult swarms were identified in the west of Tottenham. Some medium to high-density nymphs were also identified in other parts of western NSW with frequent medium density adults observed in the Menindee-Wilcannia-Ivanhoe aeras. Despite occasional medium density nymphs and adults detected in the Cunnamulla area, only low-density adults were identified in other parts of central Queensland with occasional nymphs identified. NSW Local Land Services received and assessed about two-dozen reports of locust banding and swarming activities from the Central West and North West districts since mid-January and most of these reported bands required landowner control. Westward redistributions of adults may have been encouraged by persistent troughs present in this region with a noticeable decrease of mature adults from APLC and LLS frequent inspections and landowner’s observations. Nil capture was recorded by all APLC light traps in Dulkaninna of South Australia, Fowlers Gap and White Cliffs of NSW, and Thargomindah of Queensland for January. The UNSW insect monitoring radar in Hay was still not accessible due to the disruption of Telstra mobile network upgrade. No surveys were conducted in other parts of the inland eastern Australia, nor any locust reports received.

Most habitats remained unfavourable for locust breeding and became drier during January. The inland eastern Australia received nil – 10 mm of rainfall over much of the arid interior but 50 – 100 mm in its northeastern parts. January rainfall totals were below average to very much below average while temperatures were above average to very much above average levels (1–3 degrees warmer) over much of the inland eastern Australia. With the forecast for above average rainfall for February and March and above average temperatures, 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.

The overall outlook is for low-medium density populations across inland eastern Australia, with localised high densities of nymphs developing likely in parts of central west NSW and possibly in parts of inland Qld. Migration may occur under favourable weather conditions and spread locust population further into the arid/semi-arid interior. It is likely that some locust bands will develop from untreated populations or aggregated populations after migration/dispersal from late February onwards.

There is a low likelihood of widespread infestations developing during February and March.

The overall population remained at low levels across inland eastern Australia with some localised medium-density populations identified in Central West of Queensland. Surveys conducted since mid-January identified consistent Isolated-Scattered density adults in central Queensland and New South Wales with occasional Numerous-density adults detected mainly in the Hughenden-Longreach areas. Surveys identified widespread Present-density nymphs in central Qld with occasional nymphs in NSW. Occasionally Numerous-density nymphs were also identified by survey. A single capture in late January was recorded by the light trap in White Cliffs of New South Wales with no captures by other light traps, which indicates low-density populations were present in the arid interior. With heavy rainfall in some parts of Queensland and NSW and the forecast for above average rainfall for February and March, habitat conditions should improve, and breeding is likely to continue under favourable habitat conditions. Localised high-density nymph populations may develop in some areas of Central West and North West Qld and northern NSW.

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 February and March.

The overall population remained at very low levels across inland eastern Australia. Surveys conducted since mid-January identified a few adults in central Queensland. With heavy rainfall during January over some parts of the traditional locust habitats in Queensland and NSW and the forecast above average rainfall for February and March, 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 February and March.