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Australian Plague Locust
The Australian Plague Locust (APL) is a declared pest under the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976.
Emerging nymphs and swarming locusts have the ability to cause severe damage to crops and pastures in the wheatbelt, as well as damage to intensive horticultural enterprises, sporting grounds, orchards, vineyards, gardens and other public and private facilities from flying swarms.
Increased locust numbers may also lead to more extensive problems early in the next growing season:
- Frequently asked questions on locust
- Australian plague locust identification guide
- Comparative markings of locusts
Status Report and Maps
There is a need to control swarming locusts during the spring and summer seasons to mitigate direct damage to the same year's crops and pastures and to prevent further build-up to a subsequent locust problem in the following autumn.
If you wish to make any locust reports call the Department's
- AgLine on 1300 725 572
- Pest and Disease Information Service on 1800 084 881
Control information
- Insecticides registered for the control of APL (source APVMA)
- Locust spraying and withholding periods
Industry and community information
| Apiculture | Livestock and Poultry | |
| Aquaculture | Livestock residues (plus supplement) (MLA) | |
| Crops | Organic farming | |
| Driver and vehicle safety | Pastures | |
| Horticulture | Trees | |
| Home gardens | Viticulture |
Media Releases
- Farmers urged to control locusts
- Landholders encouraged to watch for locust activity
- $1.2million to prepare for locust plague
Customer Feedback : Complaints/Compliments
The Department of Agriculture and Food has a commitment to customer service and acknowledges the customers' right to complain and that positive changes to service delivery can accrue by managing complaints well.
The Department will acknowledge receipt of a complaint in writing within two working days of receipt, and will keep the customer regularly informed of progress towards the complaint resolution.
Please click on following link: Online Customer Feedback Form. (This form provides instant electronic feedback to us)
You may download a hard copy PDF form to post to our offices here:
Customer Feedback Form
Further information
- Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (www.apvma.gov.au)
- Australian Plague Locust Commission (www.daff.gov.au/aplc)
- Department of Agriculture and Food (www.agric.wa.gov.au)
Local offices throughout the State;
AgLine - 1300 725 572
Pest and Disease Information Service - Freecall 1800 084 881) - Department of Health - Pesticide Safety Unit (phone 9383 4244)
- Poisons Information Centre (phone 131 126)
- Rural Financial and Family Counselling (www.rfcs.gov.au)(phone 1800 198 231)
- Safemeat (www.safemeat.com.au)
(information on Export Slaughter Intervals, Export Grazing Intervals and Export Animal Feed Intervals) - Your family doctor
Page updated October 2009