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Locusts ticking time-bomb
30 Apr 2004
Farmers and fruit-growers in SA’s Riverland fear a swarm of locusts is a ticking time-bomb. The pests arrived two weeks ago and are laying eggs, although not destroying crops yet. When these eggs hatch in Spring there could be a locust plague. A Paringa farmer said in his area farmers would be most worried about the pests eating cereal crops and sheep feed.
Primary Industry and Resources SA started a survey as soon as the first notifications of locusts in the state came in. Early reports show the pests are present on the Eyre Peninsula, the Flinders Ranges and in the Riverland. Authorities are in the Flinders Ranges this week and will survey the Eyre Peninsula next week. They said that the pests are in low numbers in the Riverland. Once the state survey has been completed, an action plan to control the pests will be developed.
The Advertiser, 30/4/04.
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