Australia
| Australia | |
|---|---|
.svg) | |
| Australia is within: | |
| Region: | Oceania |
| Subregion: | Australia and New Zealand |
Species of locust and grasshoppers in Australia represented in HopperWiki
- Australian plague locust (Chortoicetes terminifera)
- Eastern plague locust (Oedaleus australis)
- Migratory locust (Locusta migratoria)
- Yellow-winged locust (Gastrimargus musicus)
Organizations (21)
| Name | Acronym | Type | Focus | Focus keywords | Species purview |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture Victoria | Government | Management, Education | Management | ||
| Australian Government Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry | Government | Information Hub | |||
| Australian National Insect Collection | ANIC | Unknown | Research, Education | Resource, Systematics, Evolution, Biology, Ecology, Nature resource management, Biosecurity, Biogeography
|
|
| Australian National University | ANU | University | Research | ||
| Australian Plague Locust Commission | APLC | Government | Management, Research, Governance | Agricultural development, Control, Coordination, Education, Emergency assistance, Forecasting, Funding, Governance, Information hub, International development, Media, Monitoring, Policy, Regional cooperation, Research, Sustainable development, Technology, Training, Natural sciences
|
|
| Australian Research Council | ARC | Government | Funding | ||
| Buhl Laboratory | University | Research | Natural sciences | ||
| Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development | DPI WA | Government | Management | Monitoring, Control, Forecasting, Training | |
| Department of Primary Industries and Regions | PIRSA | Government | Management, Development, Information Hub | Control, Sustainable development | |
| FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific | APPPC | Intergovernmental Organization | Information Hub, Governance, Education | Training, Regional cooperation, Policy | Desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria), Migratory locust (Locusta migratoria) |
| Global Locust Initiative | GLI | University | Research, Education, Information Hub | Sustainable development, Ecology, Nutrition, Social science, Natural sciences, Agriculture, Agroecology, Biology, Behavior, Biological control, Climate change, Education, Sustainability science, Geometric framework, Grazing, Governance, Food security, Arts and humanities, Land use management, Landscape ecology, Locusts, Migration, Phase polyphenism, Phenotypic plasticity, Soil science
|
Australian plague locust (Chortoicetes terminifera), Mongolian locust (Oedaleus decorus), Senegalese grasshopper (Oedaleus senegalensis), Migratory grasshopper (Melanoplus sanguinipes), Migratory locust (Locusta migratoria), Desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria), American grasshopper (Schistocerca americana), South American locust (Schistocerca cancellata), Central American locust (Schistocerca piceifrons)
|
| Government of New South Wales | NSW | Government | Management | Control, Coordination, Education | |
| Land Care Australia | LCA | Government | Funding | ||
| New South Wales Department of Primary Industries | NSW DPI | Government | Education, Management | Monitoring, Control, Forecasting, Training, Natural sciences | |
| New South Wales Local Land Services | NSW LLS | Government | Management | Monitoring, Control, Natural sciences | |
| Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries | QLD DPI | Government | Management | Monitoring, Control, Forecasting, Natural sciences | |
| University of Canberra | University | ||||
| University of Melbourne | University | Research | Control | ||
| University of New South Wales | UNSW | University | Research | Early warning, Ecology, Insect behavior, Migration, Population dynamics, Remote sensing, Radar | |
| University of Sydney | USYD | University | Management, Information Hub | Monitoring, Regional Cooperation | |
| Western Australia Department of Agriculture and Food | DPIRD | Government | Information Hub, Governance, Management | Coordination, Monitoring |
Resources (13)
| Title | Resource link | Category | Descriptive keyword | Author | Language | Species purview |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture Victoria Australian plague locust identification, biology and behaviour | View URL | Guide | Species identification, Biology, Behavior | Agriculture Victoria | English | |
| Agriculture Victoria locust and grasshopper online reporting form | View URL | Information hub | Report | Agriculture Victoria | English | |
| APLC locust and grasshopper identification guide | View URL | Guide | Management, Species identification | Australian Plague Locust Commission | English | Small plague grasshopper (Austroicetes cruciata), Eastern plague locust (Oedaleus australis), Long-legged bandwing (Heteropternis obscurella), Australian plague locust (Chortoicetes terminifera), Spur-throated locust (Austracris guttulosa), Migratory locust (Locusta migratoria), Yellow-winged locust (Gastrimargus musicus), Wingless grasshopper (Phaulacridium vittatum)
|
| Australian Plague Locust Commission current locust situation | View URL | Situation bulletin | Locusts, Locust outbreaks, Outbreaks, Infestations, Distribution, Monitoring, Forecasting, Information hub, Weather, Rainfall
|
Australian Plague Locust Commission | English | |
| Australian Plague Locust Commission locust bulletin | View URL | Situation bulletin | Locusts, Monitoring, Migration, Forecasting, Advisory note, Weather, Rainfall, Behavior, Survey, Distribution, Map
|
Australian Plague Locust Commission | English | |
| Australian plague locust landholder control strategies for NSW | View URL | Guide | Management | Government of New South Wales | English | Australian plague locust (Chortoicetes terminifera) |
| Australian plague locust online learning module | View URL | Guide | Species identification, Biology, Behavior, Management | Agriculture Victoria | English | |
| Desert locust technical series | Technical report | History, Management | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations | English, French, Arabic | Desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria) | |
| Key's field notes | View URL | Information hub | Diaries, Entomologists, Grasshoppers, Kenneth H.L. Key, Key, Orthoptera, Travel | Australian National Insect Collection | English | |
| Locusts in Queensland | View URL | Guide | Taxonomy, History, Distribution, Biology, Ecology, Management | Queensland Government | English | |
| Locusts of Australia | View URL | Guide | Management, Species identification | Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries | English | |
| NSF Coupled Natural Human Systems Living with Locusts project summary | Technical report | Summary | Australian Plague Locust Commission, Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Zoology, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Grassland Research Institute, Inner Mongolia Agriculture University, Lanzhou University, New South Wales Local Land Services, Peace Corps Senegal, Directorate of Plant Protection, Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Sydney
|
English, Spanish, French | ||
| Spraying Locusts with Metarhizium | View URL | Guide | Metarhizium acridum, Biopesticide | New South Wales Department of Primary Industries | English |
Projects
Situation overview
In Australia, the management of locust and grasshopper pests involves multiple organizational levels, including federal and state agriculture departments, regional agricultural services, natural resource management agencies, and individual landholders. The specific structural arrangements vary across states, reflecting the historical context and corresponding political responses to the issue. The level of authority, autonomy, and engagement at each organizational level also differs significantly, which can either hinder or enhance the collective coordinated response to locust management.[1]
Among the various locust species in Australia, the Australian plague locust, Chortoicetes terminifera (Walker, 1870) is responsible for causing the most significant agricultural damage, particularly in the southeastern states of New South Wales, South Australia, and Victoria. The recognition of this species as a national problem since the 1930s has led to periods of intensive scientific research and varying degrees of involvement from organizational and government entities. Outbreaks of the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria (Linnaeus, 1758) and the spur-throated locust, Austracris guttulosa (Walker, 1870) generally have more limited peak population levels and a more localized impact. Other grasshopper species, such as the wingless grasshopper, Phaulacridium vittatum (Sjöstedt, 1920) the yellow-winged locust, Gastrimargus musicus (Fabricius, 1775) and the small plague grasshopper, Austroicetes cruciata (Saussure, 1888), periodically emerge as localized high-density pests.[1]
The management of locusts and grasshoppers in Australia involves collaboration between various stakeholders to mitigate the agricultural impacts and protect the interests of landholders. Ongoing research and monitoring efforts play a crucial role in understanding locust behavior and developing effective management strategies in different regions.[1]
Organizational relationships
Australia has developed a robust network and advanced organizational capacity for monitoring and managing locusts and grasshoppers. The country has established strong connections between government agencies, universities, industry groups, and the private sector to effectively address these pests. In 1974, the Australian Plague Locust Commission (APLC) was established in response to significant infestations of various locust species that had occurred over many years.[1]
The APLC operates through joint funding from the Australian Commonwealth, as well as the governments of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Queensland. Its primary responsibility is to monitor and manage populations of the three main locust pest species. [1] However, Western Australia has chosen to manage its locusts separately, as locust outbreaks in that state are less frequent and primarily considered locally produced, although some migration between regions has been observed.[2]
The high migratory capacity of locusts presents a challenge, as pests from one state can easily invade another. To address this, the APLC focuses on managing populations that pose a credible threat to agriculture in member states. Timely treatments are often implemented before locusts reach cropping areas, forming a crucial part of an early intervention strategy. Each of the four member states contributes funding based on the long-term economic impact potential within their jurisdiction, with the Commonwealth providing matching funds. The collaborative efforts and financial contributions from the member states enable the APLC to effectively coordinate locust management activities and protect agricultural interests across different regions of Australia.[1]
Regional management strengths and challenges
Strengths
Member parties of the APLC consistently emphasize the importance of developing and maintaining locust-specific expertise as a key rationale for continued funding. As state and local agencies have experienced reductions in staff and the loss of specialized expertise, the APLC plays a crucial role in maintaining a stable capacity to address the ongoing changes that have become common in these agencies. To ensure a rapid response, the APLC is able to retain unspent funds from quieter years, which can be carried over into future fiscal years. This allows for sufficient financial resources to enable early intervention when environmental conditions are favorable for a locust upsurge.[1]
The APLC's provision of training and expertise extends beyond locust activity within Australia. The organization continues to offer assistance and guidance in response to locust outbreaks in other regions, particularly in Africa and Asia. Additionally, the APLC provides non-technical operational support during pest outbreaks within Australia, undertaking various functional roles to aid in effective pest management.[1]
Different organizations have varying levels of focus when it comes to responding to locust outbreaks. State agencies typically respond when multiple regions within a state are affected, coordinating the efforts of regional agencies. In some jurisdictions, pesticides are directly provided to landholders, enabling them to take individual measures for pest control. At all levels, agencies prioritize addressing the potential impacts on human health, the environment, and trade. [1]
The thresholds for locust monitoring and control can differ along the continuum of the APLC, state agencies, regional agencies, and individual landholders. Some states allocate resources for monitoring and control only when an emergency is declared, while others, including the APLC, conduct regular monitoring through field surveys and engagement with landholders, regardless of population outbreaks. Individual landholders primarily focus on pest control to protect their crops and pastures. On the other hand, the APLC's control efforts aim at managing populations across multiple jurisdictions and benefiting the community as a whole. This approach may result in landholders having significant locust populations on their properties if the remaining population falls below the APLC's action threshold. However, the flexibility provided by landholder control can effectively manage localized population pockets and offer localized early intervention to prevent wider population buildup. This highlights the broader benefits of encouraging and facilitating individual landholders to control small populations. [1]
Australia has a strong focus on prioritizing environmental and human health and safety in locust management. To support these objectives, the use of a biopesticide called Metarhizium acridum is employed, which allows treatments to be conducted near environmentally sensitive areas and on organic properties. [1] However, further research is still needed to assess any potential adverse effects on non-target orthoptera, as observed in Argentina.[3] See biopesticides.
Various organizations, such as the Rangeland Alliance and Natural Resource Management (NRM) groups, play vital roles in ensuring environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and waterbody management. The NRM collaborates with landholders and works alongside Local Land Services divisions in New South Wales to distribute pesticides and implement control measures. These efforts are conducted while simultaneously focusing on protecting the environment and human health through educational outreach programs.[1]
Challenges
Australia faces several challenges in locust management, including the need to effectively address the risks associated with control measures, prevent unnecessary pesticide applications, and mitigate environmental contamination, all of which can result in economic losses.[4] In the current locust management framework, knowledge and expertise flow between universities, state agencies, and landholders. However, the flow of information is not always bidirectional, and there is a need for improvements in knowledge exchange. Collaborations with universities often have a transient nature, revolving around specific projects or grants, highlighting the importance of fostering transdisciplinary work between research institutions and other agencies. While information transfer from state agencies to NRM groups is generally strong, challenges may arise due to interagency politics or conflicting agendas. To ensure the sustainability of knowledge transfer, it is crucial to institutionalize effective mechanisms rather than relying solely on personal relationships. [1]
Another significant challenge on the horizon is the potentially limited lifespan of pesticides used in locust control in Australia. As global agricultural chemical entities phase out older chemistries in favor of newly developed products, some of the pesticides that have been extensively studied and optimized by the APLC and other organizations may no longer be part of the Australian approach to managing locust populations. This implies that significant research and development efforts will be necessary to achieve equivalent outcomes with new control agents while minimizing off-target impacts and maximizing the efficiency of use.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 Ries MW, Adriaansen C, Aldobai S, Berry K, Bal AB, Catenaccio MC, Cigliano MM, Cullen DA, Deveson T, Diongue A, Foquet B, Hadrich J, Hunter D, Johnson DL, Pablo Karnatz J, Lange CE, Lawton D, Lazar M, Latchininsky AV, Lecoq M, Le Gall M, Lockwood J, Manneh B, Overson R, Peterson BF, Piou C, Poot-Pech MA, Robinson BE, Rogers SM, Song H, Springate S, Therville C, Trumper E, Waters C, Woller DA, Youngblood JP, Zhang L, Cease A (2024) Global perspectives and transdisciplinary opportunities for locust and grasshopper pest management and research. Journal of Orthoptera Research 33(2): 169–216. doi:10.3897/jor.33.112803.
- ↑ Chapuis MP, Popple JAM, Berthier K, Simpson SJ, Deveson E, Spurgin P, Steinbauer MJ, Sword GA (2011) Challenges to assessing connectivity between massive populations of the Australian plague locust. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 278: 3152–3160. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2010.2605
- ↑ Bardi C, Mariottini Y, Plischuk S, Lange CE (2012) Status of the alien pathogen Paranosema locustae (Microsporidia) in grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acridoidea) of the Argentine Pampas. Biocontrol Science and Technology 22: 497–512. https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2012.665023
- ↑ Adriaansen C, Woodman J, Deveson E, Drake V (2015) The Australian plague locust - Risk and Response. Biological and Environmental Hazards, Risks, and Disasters. Academic Press, Cambridge, MA, 67–86. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-394847-2.00005-X