August 27, 2009
Australia's New South Wales faces locust plague in spring
A major infestation of locust nymphs is expected to develop during spring, September through November, in the central West area of New South Wales state, the government's Australian Plague Locust Commission reported Wednesday (August 26).
Above average temperatures in August have brought expected hatching up to two weeks sooner than initial estimates, it said in a statement, without estimating the size of any infestation or any possible damage to crops.
Some areas in far western New South Wales may also produce some bands of locust swarms in spring, while some swarms of locusts are also expected in parts of other states, it said.
Typically, the commission, state authorities and landowners join forces to prevent major destruction of crops by locusts through aerial and onground chemical spraying.
