Spur-throated locust

• Nymphs and adults have a conspicuous spur between their front legs.
• Nymphs are green on hatching, with a black stripe developing down their back as they grow.
• Adults have slim, pale brown bodies, with a long straw-coloured stripe.
• Hind wings are clear with a slight blue tinge.
• Hind legs bear 2 rows of dark-tipped white spines.
• Adults are 50–80mm long.

• Invades cropping areas, particularly the Central Highlands.

• See the locusts fact sheet (PDF, 5MB) for distribution maps.

• Has 1 generation per year, taking several years to build up to plague densities.
• Lays eggs October–February.
• Eggs hatch within 18–30 days.
• Nymphs develop over 47–90 days.
• Swarms are formed by immature adults during winter.
• Rainfall triggers dispersal of mature adults during spring and summer following overwintering period.

• Summer crops, pastures, trees, sorghum, cotton.

Economic

• Forms dense swarms that feed on winter crops, pasture and trees.
• Nymphs also cause significant crop damage, particularly in seedling sorghum.
• Can have large impact on crops, even at low densities.

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

• Nymphs of this species do not form bands, making control of large, dispersed adult populations difficult through summer.
• Readily controlled with insecticides during winter if swarms are detected and treated.
• Different insecticides can be used to control each locust species.
• Residues of some insecticides have negative effects on trade in agricultural products.
• Only insecticides registered or approved for use to control spur-throated locust by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority can be used in Queensland's cropping or livestock producing areas.
• Control of the spur-throated locust is a landholder's responsibility.
• Biosecurity Queensland is responsible for recommending and coordinating locust control throughout Queensland.
• The Australian Plague Locust Commission implements control measures when locusts reach sufficient numbers to present a threat to 2 or more states.
• Appropriate application methods for the insecticides used to control locusts vary with the locusts' life stages and behaviour.

Insecticide control

Fledged and flying locusts - aerial spraying

• Once locusts have fledged or are flying, aerial spraying of agricultural chemicals is the only efficient control method.
• The aerial application of agricultural insecticides is a regulated activity under the Agricultural Chemical Distribution Control Act 1966.
• Aerial spraying should be undertaken by a licensed aerial distribution contractor. Pilots in command of aircraft must hold a current pilot chemical rating licence.

• The spur-throated locust is not a prohibited or restricted invasive animal under the Biosecurity Act 2014. However, by law, everyone has a general biosecurity obligation (GBO) to take reasonable and practical steps to minimise the risks associated with invasive animals under their control.
• Local governments must have a biosecurity plan that covers invasive animals in their area. This plan may include actions to be taken for spur-throated locusts. Some of these actions may be required under local laws. Contact your local government for more information.