Locusts

• Main difference between locusts and grasshoppers is that locusts swarm and grasshoppers do not.
• See each locust species entry for detailed descriptions.

• Wingless grasshopper (Phaulacridium vittatum)
• Eastern plague locust (Oedaleus australis)

• Requires green vegetation for successful breeding.
• Read the locusts fact sheet for distribution for each species.

• Damages crops and pastures. A high-density swarm can contain around a billion insects, which can eat 20 tonnes of vegetation per day. Locusts at both the hopper and adult stages can cause extensive crop and pasture damage. In Queensland, all crops can potentially be attacked, but summer crops are most at risk.
• Invades previously uninfested areas, laying eggs and making swarm control difficult.

• All locusts have 3 stages of life: egg, nymph (sometimes referred to as 'hopper'), and adult.
• Read the locusts fact sheet for distribution for each species.

• Programs to treat adult flying locusts are generally ineffective.
• The optimum time for control of locusts is at the nymph stage.

• Insectivorous birds and mammals, predator insects, parasitoids and diseases.

• All landholders are responsible for locust management as part of their general biosecurity obligation under the Biosecurity Act 2014.
• Locusts in pasture and some crops are readily controlled with insecticides if treated at the right time. Only chemicals registered or approved for use by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority are recommended.
• Preventative control while locusts are still in the nymph stage (unable to fly) or before adults lay eggs is the most economically effective measure to reduce the risk of locust swarms developing.
• Control options for locusts in sugarcane are currently limited, as no registered products are available for use. Learn more about locust outbreaks in Queensland sugarcane regions.

Coordination

• The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is responsible for coordinating control if populations are beyond the capacity for landholder control and threaten key agricultural regions of Queensland.
• The Australian Plague Locust Commission may also implement control measures when it believes locust numbers are high enough to present an interstate threat.

Report

Report significant locust or nymph activity to help us monitor locust density and movement across Queensland and reduce the likelihood of locust swarms.

Reporting options

• Report online or offline (via Survey123).
• Report online (via Report a biosecurity pest or disease).
• Phone Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23.
• Email locustreports@dpi.qld.gov.au.