Ground control of nymphal (hopper) bands of the Australian plague locusts in eastern Australia

Abstract

Landholders control hopper bands of the Australian plague locust, Chortoicetes terminifera (Walker), by ground spraying using diluted emulsifiable concentrate insecticide, usually fenitrothion. The effectiveness of this method was assessed in 1978 and 1979 in New South Wales. Line transects were used to assess the infestation level shortly before and 36 h after treatment; the estimated mean reduction in infestation was only 38% when the bands alone were sprayed but 80% if the whole paddock or a large section was blanket sprayed. The cost of blanket treatment ($13.20/ha of band destroyed) was far greater than direct band attack ($3.70), except where ultra-low volume methods were used to drift spray an area ($5.60). Ground control could be twice as effective if blanket spraying was widely adopted, but this would require the general use of ultra-low volume spraying equipment. Furthermore, fewer bands would be missed if all paddocks were thoroughly searched before spraying.