May 27, 2010

Locust growth sparks concerns in Victoria, Australia

A new generation of locusts has hatched on some farms in Victoria's north in recent weeks, while a growing number of farmers are discovering vast numbers of egg beds laid on their properties.

The massive number of eggs in particular has sparked increased fears about the potential for a devastating locust outbreak in spring, before crops worth hundreds of millions of dollars are ready for harvest.

Victorian Plague Locust Commissioner Gordon Berg warned that locust outbreaks in spring were likely. ''We can't say for certain exactly what's going to happen, but the likelihood is we're going to see major outbreaks, in certainly some areas. And we've got to plan for that worst-case scenario,'' he said.