Locust Bulletin January 2012

The Locust Bulletin is produced each month during the spring—autumn period and includes a general summary for each major locust species, details of known distributions with regional forecasts, and maps of locust distributions and rainfall events. 

Table of Contents

General locust situation
Australian plague locust situation
Australian plague locust map December 2011
Rainfall maps December 2011
Terms and Abbreviations used in the Bulletin
Map of forecast districts used in the Bulletin
Map of forecast regions used in the Bulletin

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General situation in December 2011 and outlook to February 2012

Australian Plague Locust
Spur–throated Locust
Migratory Locust

Australian plague locust
Chortoicetes terminifera

Population density remained low throughout western Queensland and New South Wales, and in northern South Australia and Victoria during December. An area of high density adults and swarms formed in part of the Northeast region of South Australia and some swarm egg laying is likely to have occurred during the second half of December. There were very few reports of locust activity in Victoria and southern South Australia, indicating a decline in population level. Surveys indicated continued low background population levels in the Far West, Far Northwest, Central West and Riverina regions of New South Wales, and in Southwest and Central West Queensland.

The outlook is for a decline in adult densities in the infested area in Northeast South Australia during January, with the likelihood of a summer generation of nymphs in localised areas and the possibility of some hopper band activity. The congregation and development of initially small, gregarious high density populations is possible during summer in parts of Southwest Queensland, Far West New South Wales or the Far North of South Australia. This usually occurs in response to heavy, early summer rains which can initiate a summer breeding cycle. However, no higher density adult populations have developed in these regions at this stage and the probability that any which may appear in late summer will present a migration risk and serious threat in agricultural areas during autumn has consequently declined. The population level is expected to remain low in Victoria.

In South Australia, high density adults and a number of swarms were identified in the Peterborough–Burra–Spalding–Jamestown area during December. There were also low density late instar nymphs in some locations. Samples from swarms indicated that egg laying was likely to occur during the second half of December. Heavy rainfall in that part of the Northeast in mid-December will produce suitable conditions for a high rate of nymphal survival. Nymphs are likely to appear in mid-January and would fledge during the second half of February. The background population in the Northwest and Far North region may have been maintained by migration from the Northeast region during December.

Surveys in New South Wales showed a continuing low density population in all regions during December. Adult numbers remained very low in the Central West, Darling and Riverina Livestock Health and Pest Authority (LHPA) areas, while some scattered adults were identified in part of Western LHPA. The development of localised medium density populations is possible in parts of these LHPA areas in late summer, which could produce local autumn nymphal populations, although if this occurs it is unlikely to present a widespread threat to agriculture.

Surveys in Southwest Queensland identified a low density adult population in some areas and very few nymphs. Heavy rainfall in Quilpie and Barcoo Shires during December will produce suitable habitat conditions for locust breeding and nymphal survival. A summer generation of nymphs in some locations is possible during January.

The absence of any areas of higher density adults in Victoria is an indication of the continuing decline in population level. There is a low risk of any significant population development during summer or autumn, or of significant immigration from other states.       

Spur–throated locust
Austracris guttulosa

There is a widespread low density population of adults throughout the inland regions of New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia. Adults appear to have dispersed across most regions and are likely to have commenced breeding in several regions of Queensland and northern New South Wales during December. Early instar nymphs were detected in the southern Central Highlands of Queensland. There is a low probability of swarms appearing in agricultural regions of Queensland or northern New South Wales during summer.

Surveys in Queensland during November and December identified consistent Isolated-Scattered density adults throughout the Northwest, Southwest, Central West, South Central and Central Highlands regions. Densities were highest in the Longreach–Muttaburra and Dirranbandi–Hebel areas, where there were several Numerous density counts. Low density early instar nymphs were recorded in the Rolleston area of the Central Highlands in mid-November, but no nymphs have been detected in other regions. In New South Wales there were consistent Isolated-Scattered density adults in the Darling, Northwest Plains and Central West LHPA areas, and Numerous density adults in the Walgett–Goodooga area.  Adult densities were lower in Western and Riverina LHPA areas, and across northern South Australia, where consistent Isolated density adults were identified.

The outlook is for low density egg laying to continue in parts of the Central Highlands, South Central, Central West, Northwest and Queensland Gulf regions of Queensland during summer. Some low density laying is also likely in the Darling and Northwest Plains LHPA areas of northern New South Wales. This species does not lay in dense egg beds and nymphs are generally not gregarious. Adults can lay multiple egg pods and nymphs are likely to occur across several development stages during summer.  

Migratory locust                
Locusta migratoria

APLC surveys did not detect this species during December, but in November identified occasional Isolated density adults were identified in the Warialda area of the Northwest LHPA and in the Clermont–Gregory area of the Queensland Central Highlands. Low numbers of this species commonly occur in these regions during summer. It is capable of continuous breeding over several generations in Queensland and northern New South Wales. The heavy rainfall which has continued from October to December in South Central Queensland and the NSW Northwest Plains, could have allowed successful breeding of the low density population. There is the potential for the development of localised small gregarious populations of this species during summer, although the probability of a significant infestation remains low.        

6 January 2012

Australian plague locust situation

New South Wales
Queensland
Victoria
South Australia

Map of Australian plague locust distribution: December 2011

  

New South Wales

Situation in December 2011 and forecast to February 2012

Central West

Lachlan, Central West & Central North LHPA

Locusts and conditions

• Locust population density remained low in the Central West region during December. Surveys detected occasional Isolated density adults in most areas. No nymphs were detected in surveyed areas.
  

• APLC surveyed the Nyngan and Dubbo districts in Central West LHPA and the Condobolin, Forbes and West Wyalong areas in Lachlan LHPA in early December. Occasional Isolated density adults were identified in most areas.
  

• There was widespread light rainfall (<20 mm) during each of the first two weeks of December, with moderate falls (20–40 mm) in the Coonamble–Nyngan and Dubbo areas. There were further light falls  in most areas during the last week of December, along with some heavier storms in the Condobolin areas.                  

Forecast

• The continued low adult population density detected in this region during December indicates that a significant population increase is unlikely before February.
  

• There is a low probability of an infestation developing in this region during summer or autumn. However, breeding of the low density population is likely to maintain the overall regional population levels and some localised high density populations could develop in autumn.
  

•  There is a low probability of any significant immigration during January or February.          

Risk(s)

• There is a moderate probability of some localised increases in population during February from local breeding. There is a low probability of a widespread infestation developing in this region during summer or autumn.            

Riverina

Riverina & Hume LHPA

Locusts and conditions

• Surveys in early December identified a continued low density population in most parts of the region.
  

• APLC surveys were conducted throughout the Riverina LHPA area in late November and early December. Only occasional Isolated density adults were identified in most areas. There were several counts of Scattered density adults in the Moulamein–Deniliquin and Jerilderie–Oaklands areas.
  

• There was moderate rainfall (20–40 mm) in most of the region during 16–23 December, with light falls in the Narrandera district. Hume LHPA also received light rainfall (<20 mm) during the first and last weeks of December.

 Forecast

• No significant population increase, apart from several counts of Scattered density adults, was detected in the Jerilderie–Corowa area, where there were some high density nymphs in spring. The failure of the spring generation to produce high adult numbers is the result of landholder control of Bands and possibly continuing high parasite loads.
  

• Some low density local breeding may have occurred during December, and rainfall during January will influence the likelihood and location of any further egg laying. Small areas of medium density nymphs could develop in favourable habitat areas during January or February.
  

• There is a very low probability of immigration from other regions during the forecast period.   

Risk(s)

• There is a low probability of a significant increase in population level during January or February          

Northwest Slopes and Plains

Northwest LHPA

Locusts and conditions

• Population densities are expected to have remained low in this region during December. Heavy rainfall maintained suitable conditions for locust breeding in some areas, but a significant population increase is unlikely during January.
  
  
• No APLC surveys were conducted during December and there were no reports of locust activity.
  
  
• Moderate–heavy rainfall continued in the region during December with widespread falls (20->40mm)  during each of the first three weeks of December, with flood rains (>100 mm) in some areas during 16–23 December. There is dense pasture vegetation in most areas.     

Forecast

• The continued heavy and flood rains will maintain conditions suitable for breeding in some areas, but the flooding of some rivers will limit potential habitat areas for several weeks.  The dense pasture growth in much of the region may not favour the aggregation of locust the population or the availability of egg laying sites.
  
  

• Some localised breeding was possible during December, following the heavy rains in late November. Any nymphs produced would be at mid-instar stage in early January, which could result and a small increase in adult numbers from mid-January.
  
  

• There is a low probability of any significant immigration into the region, given the low population level in adjacent regions.           

Risk(s) 

• There is a moderate probability that local breeding and egg laying during December or January could result in a localised population increases in January or February.          

Far Northwest

Darling LHPA

Locusts and conditions

• The population level remained low in this region during December.
  

• APLC Surveys were conducted in the Cobar and Bourke districts of Darling LHPA in mid-December. Surveys identified only occasional Isolated density adults.
  

• There was heavy rainfall (>40 mm) in the Brewarrina district, and light–moderate falls (<20–40 mm) in Bourke and Wanaaring districts during the first week of December. The Brewarrina district received further moderate rainfall during 8–15 December, and there was widespread moderate rainfall during 16–23 December. Pasture vegetation remains green in most areas      

Forecast

• No significant breeding is likely to have occurred during December, although the heavy rainfall in mid-November in the Wanaaring and Cobar districts produced suitable soil and vegetation conditions for locust egg laying. Some breeding of the local population in late November could have produced nymphs which would fledge during January. This could result in a continued low level adult population or a moderate increase in some areas during January.
  

• There is a low probability of significant immigration during January, given the low population levels in adjacent regions, but light trap activity in Far Western NSW and Southwest Qld in late December indicates that some regional redistribution has occurred.           

Risk(s)

• There is a moderate probability that a localised nymph generation during December will produce a small increase in adult population during January and February.           

Far West

Western LHPA

Locusts and conditions

• Adult population density remained generally low in surveyed areas during December, but localised breeding and a subsequent increase in population is possible in January and February.
  

• Surveys were conducted in the Broken Hill, Tibooburra and White Cliffs districts in early December. Wilcannia. There was a consistent background population of Isolated density adults in most areas, with Scattered density in a few locations.
  

• The Fowlers Gap light trap recorded low numbers of locusts on several nights between 17 and 26 December. Low numbers of Oedalues australis grasshoppers were also caught during that time.
  

• There was patchy moderate (20–40 mm) rainfall in the Tibooburra, Wilcannia, Broken Hill and Wentworth–Balranald districts during 16–23 December, along with locally heavy storms around Wentworth and Balranand.           

Forecast 

• The background population in suitable habitats in this region has increased gradually over several months as a result of localised breeding in small areas. The current population could produce some localised high density nymphs, either as a result of rainfall-initiated aggregation and egg laying during December, or after further storm rainfall during January.
  

• Heavy rainfall occurred in the White Cliffs and Tibooburra areas in mid-November created suitable soil and vegetation conditions for locust breeding. Further storm rains occurred in mid-December. Some aggregation of the background population and localised mid–high density egg laying could have been be initiated by this rainfall. This could have produced a localised nymphal generation during December, which would fledge in mid-January.
  

• Migratory activity detected at light traps in the second half of December at Fowlers Gap, and in Far North South Australia and Southwest Qld, indicates that locusts could have aggregated in some habitat areas with suitable conditions for egg laying. Any eggs laid at the end of December would hatch in mid-January and produce a nymphal generation that would fledge in February.
  

• Some low density migratory exchange with adjacent regions is possible during January and February.             

Risk(s)

• There is a moderate probability of an increase in population in parts of the region during January and February.             

All locust activity should be reported to your Livestock Health and Pest Authority or Department of Primary Industries, NSW.
A toll–free call to the APLC can be made on 1800 635 962. An answering machine is attached for after–hours calls.

Queensland

Situation in December 2011 and forecast to February 2012

Southwest

Barcoo, Bulloo, Quilpie & Diamantina Shire

Locusts and conditions

• The population level remains low in this region, but there is a consistent background population which could produce a nymphal generation with localised higher densities following the heavy rainfall in recent months.
  

• Parts of Bulloo and Quilpie Shires were surveyed in early December. Isolated density adults were identified in most areas of Bulloo Shire and in the Quilpie—Eromanga area.
  

• Low numbers of locusts were recorded at the Nooyeah Downs light trap on 21 and 26 December. No locusts were recorded at the Birdsville light trap.
  

• Rainfall has been dominated by localised summer storms. There were moderate–heavy falls (20–>40 mm) in Quilpie, Barcoo and Diamantina Shires during the first week of December, and further heavy rains in Quilpie Shire during the last week of the month, with light–moderate falls in other shires.         

Forecast

• Heavy storm rains in mid-November and in mid-December could have initiated some aggregation and egg laying, possibly resulting in nymphs emerging in December or January. This could lead to an increase in adult population level during January or February. Quilpie and Barcoo Shires received some falls over 50 mm in both November and December, which would have produced conditions suitable for high nymphal survival. Any egg laying in suitable habitats during December could produce localised higher density nymphs and possibly some Bands during January.
  
  
• Light trap catches indicate some redistribution during the second half of December and possibly some exchange migration with adjacent regions. These movements could result in successful aggregation of locusts in areas of habitat with suitable conditions for breeding.            

Risk(s)

• There is a moderate probability that some localised nymph populations developed during December, or that further nymphs will be produced during January. A resulting increase in adult population level is likely in some areas during January and February.           

Locust activity should be reported to Biosecurity Queensland (Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries). A toll free call to the APLC can be made on 1800 635 962. An answering machine is attached for after–hours calls.

Central West and Northwest

Longreach, Barcaldine and Blackall—Tambo Regional Shire. Boulia, Cloncurry, Flinders, Mckinlay, Mt Isa, Richmond & Winton Shire

Locusts and conditions  

• Population density remained at a low level during December and there were no locust reports.
  

• Surveys were conducted in parts of Longreach and Barcaldine Regional Council areas in mid-December. Occasional Isolated density adults were identified in the Muttaburra area.
  

• The Longreach and Julia Creek light traps recorded no locusts during December.
  

• Rainfall has been dominated by localised summer storms and there were some heavy falls in the northern shires of these regions. There were patchy moderate rains (20–40 mm) in all shires during the first week of December, and further patchy moderate falls in parts of Longreach, Winton and Cloncurry shire area during 9–15 December. There was widespread moderate rainfall in all shires of the Central West during 16–23 December.          

Forecast

• The population is likely to remain at a low level during January, but an increase to moderate levels is possible in some small areas as a result of breeding by the local population.
  

• Widespread heavy rains during December will produce suitable soil and vegetation conditions for locust breeding, but may not produce an aggregation of the background population that could lead to localised higher densities. The location of any significant further summer rainfall events during January and February will have a bearing on summer population development.
  

• There is a low probability of any significant immigration during January or February.            

Risk(s)

• There is a low probability of significant population increase during January. A moderate increase is possible in the Blackall-Tambo Council area during January or February.           

Central Highlands

Central Highlands and Isaac Regional Council

Locusts and conditions

• Population density is expected to have remained low in in this region. There were no reports of locust activity.
  

• No APLC surveys were conducted during December and previous surveys had identified only occasional Isolated density adults.
  

• Rainfall has been dominated by summer storms. There was widespread heavy rainfall (>40 mm), with light–moderate falls (<20–40 mm) in the Emerald area, during the first week of December. There were further light–moderate moderate falls (<20–40 mm) in the Central Highlands Council area and Banana Shire during 9–15 and 16–23 December.           

Forecast   

• There is unlikely to be any significant population increase in this region during January. However, there may have some low density local breeding of the background population in the southern half of Central Highlands Regional Council, which would maintain the background population level.
  

• There is a low probability of any significant immigration during January or February.
  

• There is a low probability of a significant population increase in this region during summer or autumn.               

Risk(s)

• The risk of a widespread infestation developing in this region during summer or autumn is low.                 

South Central Queensland and Darling Downs

Balonne, Murweh and Paroo Shire. Roma, Dalby and Goondiwindi Regional Council

Locusts and conditions

• Population numbers are expected to have remained low during December, despite further rainfall events and suitable habitat conditions. There were no reports of locust activity.
  

• No APLC surveys were conducted and there were no reports of locust activity. Previous surveys in November identified only Isolated density adults.
  

• The region received widespread heavy rainfall (>40 mm) during the first week of December. There was widespread light–moderate rainfall (<20–40 mm) during 9–15 and 16–23 December, with heavy falls in parts of Roma council area and Murweh Shire.                

Forecast

• The continued low population levels detected in the region suggests that no aggregation or high density egg laying has occurred, despite several periods of heavy rainfall in recent months.
  

• Vegetation conditions remain suitable for locust breeding, but very dense pastures could limit the extent of suitable egg laying sites. Some breeding of the background population may result in an increase in adult numbers to Numerous density in some locations in late summer.
  

• There is a low probability of any significant immigration during January or February.            

Risk(s)

• There is a low probability of a significant population increase, but some local breeding could produce a moderate increase during January or February.             
              

Locust activity should be reported to Biosecurity Queensland (Primary Industries & Fisheries). A toll free call to the APLC can be made on 1800 635 962. An answering machine is attached for after–hours calls.

Victoria

Situation in December 2011 and forecast to February 2012

Locusts and conditions

• The spring nymph generation was localised to small areas in the southern Wimmera and Grampians districts. There were other isolated hatchings in a few locations in North Central Victoria. Adult numbers did not reach noticeable densities in areas where nymphs developed and population density is generally low throughout Victoria.
  

• The absence of reports of locust activity in Victoria suggests a continued population decline.
  

• There was widespread light rainfall (<20 mm), with some locally moderate falls in parts of North Central and Northwest Victoria in mid-November, and further light–moderate (20–40 mm) falls during the last week of the month.                    

Forecast

• A range of nymphal stages were reported during November and early December in the Grampians district, indicating some variation in hatching times. It is possible that some sporadic low density egg laying by adults that fledged, either from the spring generation or from overwintering locusts, occurred during November or December and that low numbers of remaining nymphs will contribute to the overall adult population in January.
  
  
• There have been no reports of adults from Victoria, which suggests that no noticeable areas of high density adults developed during December. The lack of any higher densities of locusts developing in December may be due to continued high natural enemy and parasite levels.
  
  
• There is a low probability that a significant infestation will develop during summer or autumn in Victoria.
  
  
• There is a low probability of any significant immigration during January or February         

Risk(s)

• The risk of any significant population developing in Victoria during summer or autumn has declined and the probability of a serious infestation is very low.           

Locust activity should be reported to the Department of Primary Industries, Victoria on 1300 135559 . A toll–free call to the APLC can be made on 1800 635 962. An answering machine is attached for after–hours calls. 

South Australia

Situation in December 2011 and forecast to February 2012

Northeast, Far North, Northwest & Western Agricultural region

Locusts and conditions

• Several swarms persisted in the Peterborough–Burra area of the Northeast region during December and high density egg laying is likely to have occurred in that area in late December following heavy rainfall. A summer generation of nymphs could emerge in mid-January.
  

• Surveys in Yunta–Burra area on 19 December identified Concentration and swarm density adults at several locations in the Peterborough–Yongala and the Jamestown–Spalding areas, along with Numerous–Concentration densities in the Hallett–Ucolta area. There were Numerous density fifth instar nymphs at a number of locations. Samples from swarms showed a proportion of the population with 4 mm eggs, indicating that egg laying was possible during the following week. There were only Isolated density adults were in the Paratoo–Yunta–Cockburn area.
  

• Previous surveys in November identified consistent Isolated–Scattered density adults in the Coober Pedy–Oodnadatta and Woomera–Glendambo of the Northwest region, along with Scattered–Numerous density adults from Woomera south to Port Augusta. There had been Scattered–Numerous density adults in the Hawker–Quorn–Wilmington area.
  

• The light trap at Dulkaninna recorded locusts on 26 December, but no locusts were recorded at Oodnadatta.
  

• There was light–moderate rainfall (<20–40 mm) in the Northeast region and the southern part of the Far North region, along with light falls in part of the Northwest, during 8–15 November. There were further light rains (<20 mm) in the Northeast during 16-23 and 24–30 November, with some moderate falls around Yunta.             

Forecast

• The swarms reported in the Burra–Jamestown–Peterborough area formed locally from Bands which developed in October. Adult numbers are also likely to have been supplemented by a later cohort, identified as nymphs in parts of the Northeast in November. The level of egg development in the swarms indicates that some high density egg laying was likely in that area, possibly in late December after heavy rainfall on 18 December. Some redistribution of locusts could also have resulted in swarm movement and egg laying in adjacent districts, particularly to the west of the known infested area.
  

• The very heavy rainfall in the areas where swarms were active will create suitable vegetation conditions for nymph survival. Any eggs laid during the last week of December will hatch in mid-January, but some nymphs could emerge as early as 10 January if laying occurred immediately after the rains. Some Bands may develop in the second half of January. Fledging of a summer nymph generation would occur during the second half of February.
  

• It is possible that some migration of young adults from the population in the Northeast or Western Agricultural regions had been occurring during November and December. This could have resulted in some increase in numbers in the Far North or Northwest regions, or Far West NSW. The light trap catch on 26 December at Dulkaninna may reflect this migratory activity.
  

• There have been few reports of adult activity on the western Eyre Peninsula, but adult numbers are likely to have increased to Scattered–Numerous density during November, but will have declined by January. There has not been sufficient rainfall for egg laying or the persistence or breeding of a significant population in that part of the region during recent months. However, some migration was possible from the infestation in the Burra–Jamestown to the area to the Port Augusta–Whyalla area, where heavy rains in mid-December could have initiated some egg laying.
  

• There is a moderate probability of further migratory redistribution within the Northeast region or small movements into adjacent regions during January.              

Risk(s)

• There is a moderate probability of a nymphal generation, with high densities and some Bands, developing in the Peterborough–Jamestown–Burra in the second half of January, and a subsequent increase in adult numbers in late February         
   

 Murray Valley & Southeast region

Locusts and conditions

• There were no reports of locust activity in the Lower Murray district during December. This indicates a general population decline in the areas where there were high densities of nymphs during spring.
  

• There was light–moderate rainfall (<20–40 mm) in the eastern part of the Murray Valley region during 8-15 and 16–23 November. There was further light–moderate rainfall in the Southeast region during the last week of the month.          

Forecast

• There is likely to be residual adults at Scattered–Numerous densities in parts of the Lower Murray district, particularly around Sedan–Mannum, where Bands of nymphs developed in October and November.
  

• It is possible that some adults persisted in the Eudunda–Robertstown area during December, or that some immigration of adults from the Burra area has supplemented a potential low density, summer breeding population in the eastern Mt Lofty Ranges. Sporadic egg laying could have been initiated by heavy rainfall in this area in mid-December. If this occurred nymphs could appear in small areas in the second half of January.
  

• Some low density immigration from the Burra area of the Northeast region is possible during early January           

Risk(s)

• There is a low probability of a significant population increase during January or February .       

Locust activity should be reported to Biosecurity SA (PIRSA) on the Locust Report Hotline on 1800 833 451 .
A toll–free call to the APLC can be made on 1800 635 962. An answering machine is attached for after–hours calls.

Map of Rainfall distribution 

 
Place Name Key for Rainfall Distribution Map

Queensland		Northern Territory
Bo	Boulia	AS	Alice Springs	B	Bourke
Br	Brisbane	TC	Tennant Creek	BH	Broken Hill
Bi	Birdsville			Du	Dubbo
Ch	Charleville	South Australia		Ha	Hay
CT	Charters Towers	Ad	Adelaide	Iv	Ivanhoe
Em	Emerald	CP	Coober Pedy	Na	Narrabri
Hu	Hughenden	Ma	Marree	Sy	Sydney
JC	Julia Creek	Oo	Oodnadatta	Ti	Tibooburra
LH	Lawn Hill	PA	Port Augusta	Wy	West Wyalong
Lo	Longreach	Yu	Yunta
No	Normanton
Qu	Quilpie
SG	St. George	Ho	Horsham
Ur	Urandangi	Me	Melbourne
Wi	Windorah	Mi	Mildura

Glossary of terms and abbreviations used in the Locust Bulletin

Where higher densities occur a large proportion of the regional population is concentrated in small areas with lower densities elsewhere, so the high densities cannot be extrapolated across the area of an entire region. Typically a range of density classes is found within surveyed regions and higher densities occur where habitat conditions are favourable. More detail is available about terms and descriptions used here.

Nymph Densities	Number per m2
Present (P)	1        —    5
Numerous (Num)	6        —    30
Sub–band (SB)	31      —    80
Band (B)	>   80
Adult Densities	Number per m2	Number per hectare
Isolated (Iso)	—    0.02	< 200
Scattered (Scat)	0.03   —    0.1	>200   —   1000
Numerous (Num)	0.2     —    0.5	>1000  —  5000
Concentration (Conc)	0.6     —    3.0	>5000  —  30,000
Low Density Swarm (LDS)	4.0     —    10	>30,000 — 100,000
Medium Density Swarm (MDS)	11      —    50	>100,000 — 500,000
High Density Swarm (HDS)	>   50	>500,000
General Density Classes	Nymph Densities	Adult Densities
very low, occasional	Nil—Present	Nil—Isolated
low	Present—Numerous	Isolated—Scattered
medium	Numerous—Subband	Scattered—Numerous
high	Bands	Concentration—Swarms

Reporting locust infestations

It is important that all locust activity is reported as soon as possible to your Department of Primary Industries (Agriculture) or to the Australian Plague Locust Commission.

State	Authority to report locust infestations to
New South Wales	Livestock Health and Pest Authority (LHPA) or Department of Primary Industries, NSW
Queensland	Biosecurity Queensland, Queensland Primary Industries & Fisheries
South Australia	Primary Industries & Resources South Australia (PIRSA) Plant Health
Victoria	Department of Primary Industries, Victoria — Plague Locust information

Reports to the Australian Plague Locust Commission can be made by:

Free call (Canberra) — 1800 635 962 (24 hours)
Fax (Canberra) — (02) 6272 5074
Email: Locust Report 

Forecasting Districts used in the Bulletin

General regions referred to in the Bulletin

Location of APLC light traps (black circles).
Locust habitat areas shaded.