Locust nymphs detections

Alert

Report significant locust or nymph activity to help us:

  • monitor locust density and movement across Queensland
  • reduce the likelihood of locust swarms.

Reporting options

Current situation

Locust nymphs have been detected in:

  • the Isaac and Barcaldine regions
  • sugarcane-growing regions along the Queensland coast.

You can use this online map to find out where the locusts are in relation to your property. This map is best used on a desktop computer.

What to look for

In Queensland, there are 4 locust species to look for:

How to check

  • Regularly inspect your paddocks, especially after rain.
  • Watch for nymphs—these are wingless and form slow-moving bands.
  • Look for groups exceeding 80 hoppers per square metre, typically 2 weeks after hatching.

Control and management

Treatment

Controlling locusts during the nymph stage is crucial. This will break their life cycle and help to prevent large-scale outbreaks.

Locusts in pasture and some crops are readily controlled with insecticides if treated while they are still in the nymph stage (unable to fly) or before adults lay eggs. Only use chemicals registered or approved for use by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) and follow all directions on the label.

Responsibilities

Control is primarily the responsibility of landholders, as part of their general biosecurity obligation.

The Department of Primary Industries is responsible for coordinating control if populations are beyond the capacity for landholder control and threaten key agricultural regions of Queensland.

We will conduct aerial spraying to manage locust infestations during their nymph stage if they are identified as a threat to agricultural production. This will be done with the support of the Australian Plague Locust Commission. We'll ensure this is done in an environmentally responsible manner and minimise any risks by maintaining buffer zones to sensitive areas, such as waterways.

We will contact you if your property may be included in this treatment.

Locusts in sugarcane

Control options for locusts in sugarcane are currently limited, as no registered products are available for use. We are actively monitoring the situation and providing information to the cane industry.

Learn more about locust outbreaks in Queensland sugarcane regions.

More information