RSOE Emergency and Disaster Information Service

2010-03-22 04:20:30 - Biological Hazard - Australia

EDIS CODE: BH-20100322-25401-AUS
Date & Time: 2010-03-22 04:20:30 [UTC]
Area: Australia, State of New South Wales, Far West around Tibooburra,

'!!! WARNING !!!

Not confirmed information!

Description:

There are fears NSW could be facing its worst locust plague in more than six years. After heavy rains triggered a surge in locust activity, the pests have already ravaged oat crops in the state's south. Some of the biggest clusters of baby locusts ever seen in NSW have been found in the Far West around Tibooburra. The state's locust coordinator, Simon Oliver, is urging all landholders to check their paddocks for the pest. "Early indications are that if we don't get out and do control through this autumn, there's the potential to have an outbreak similar to or worse than the one in 2004-05," he says. "That was probably one of the biggest we've seen for a number of years." And South Australia is preparing as locusts cross the border from south-west Queensland and far north NSW. Primary Industries and Resources South Australia is urging landowners to report locust sightings so it can plan for when eggs begin to hatch. David Cartwright, manager of plant health policy, says there's expectation the locusts will lay eggs because of better weather conditions and the availability of feed. "Where we see problems in South Australia is usually in relation to the next round of population," he says. "The eggs will be dormant over the winter period, and we'll expect to see problems in spring if there's going to be a problem here in South Australia."

The name of Hazard: Locust plague
Species: Animal
Status: Confirmed

Posted:2010-03-22 04:20:30 [UTC]