Spur-throated locust: insecticide spraying guide

Page last updated: Wednesday, 29 January 2025 - 12:35pm

Please note: This content may be out of date and is currently under review.

This page provides information on chemical control for the spur-throated locust in Western Australia.

Chemicals registered or permitted in Western Australia

There are many products with different trade names that contain the same active ingredient. This list is not exhaustive and does not imply any specific recommendations of brand names.

Notes:

  • EC – emulsifiable concentrate,  SC – suspension concentrate, ULV – ultra low volume,WG–  water dispersible/wettable granule.
  • Withholding period (WHP): number of days are given for: Harvest withholding period (H) and export withholding periods (Export Slaughter Interval (ESI), Export Grazing Interval (EGI) and Export Animal Feed Interval (EAFI). For grazing WHP’s refer to chemical label.
  • Avoid overspraying stock. Refer to labels for withholding grazing periods for domestic markets. For animals destined for export: if overspraying does occur, withhold stock for slaughter until the ESI on clean feed is met. Or the EGI on treated crops/pasture.
  • Many products are dangerous to fish and crustaceans. Do not contaminate ponds, rivers or waterways and do not spray flowering crops when bees are foraging.
  • All rates are millilitres per hectare unless otherwise specified
Adult spur-throated locust.
Adult spur-throated locust.

The pesticides listed below can be used on any crop, appearing on the chemical label, as long as the rate used does not exceed the highest rate that is registered for use on that crop. Read chemical label before application.

Insecticide: fenitrothion

Chemical
formulation
and
concentration

Trade name

Pastures
(mL/ha)

Cereals
(mL/ha)

Canola,
lupin

or
pulse

crops 
(mL/ha)

Forestry

or
non-crop
areas
(mL/ha)

Harvest

and

export WHP
(days)

EC
1000g/L

Fenitronthion,
Sumithion

270–550

270–550

N/A N/A

H: 14
EAFI:14
ESI: 14
EGI: 14

ULV
1230g/L
Sumithion 200-400 200-400 N/A N/A H: 14
EAFI:14
ESI: 14
EGI: 14
Insecticide: fipronil

Chemical 
formulation 
and 
concentration

Trade name

Pastures 
(mL/ha)

Cereals 
(mL/ha)

Canola, 
lupin

or 
pulse

crops 
(mL/ha)

Forestry

or 
non-crop 
areas 
(mL/ha)

Harvest

and

export WHP 
(days)

SC

200g/L

Albatross, Assurant, 
Emporium, Fipronil,
Fiptron, Kaiser, Maestro,
Onslaught, Rainbonil,
Region, Ruler, Seeker,
ista

6.25

N/A

N/A

6.25-12.5

H: 14
EAFI:14
ESI: 14
EGI: 21

WG

800g/Kg

Albatross, Fipronil,
Regal, Regent,
Reylon
1.5g/ha

N/A

N/A

1.6-3.2g/ha H: 14
EAFI:14
ESI: 14
EGI: 21

Biological control: naturally occurring Australian fungus Metarhizium anisopliae var. acridum

Chemical 
formulation 
and 
concentration

Trade name

Pastures 
(mL/ha)

Cereals 
(mL/ha)

Canola, 
lupin

or 
pulse

crops 
(mL/ha)

Forestry

or 
non-crop 
areas 
(mL/ha)

Harvest

and

export WHP 
(days)

ULV

300g/L

Green Guard 

250

250

250

250

Nil

Please note: 
 
If a pesticide is registered for use in Western Australia on a crop for the control of a pest, an agricultural user may use the pesticide on that crop for the control of any pest. 


Below are the rates that have efficacy on spur throated locusts. Check that the rates are below those registered for use on crops on which control is required.

Chemical

Chemical registered rate (mL/ha)

Fenitrothion

270-550

Fipronil

6.25

Metarhizium ULV (Green Guard)

250

For further information, please contact the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia's Pest and Disease Information Service, at the contact details below.

Contact information

Pest and Disease Information Service (PaDIS)
+61 (0)8 9368 3080