Migratory locust

Contributor: CABI
Date Compiled: 2024
Creative Commons "Attribution-Share Alike"
Image copyright: Phonon.b/via Wikimedia Commons

Prevention

Solution
Deep tillage improves soil for good plant growth and better crop tolerance to damage
Plant 10 days early
Reasonably irrigate and fertilize to create favorable conditions for wheat to increase its tolerance to damage
Remove residues after harvest to reduce food source of remaining locusts. If there are no major diseases or pests in the field, leave residues to improve the soil

Solution
Use tolerant high-producing varieties (e.g. Yumai 39)

Monitoring

Solution
Search for locusts during May, because locusts will immigrate in this period (Make at least two checks - early May and middle of May)
Look for feeding holes and chewed leaves
Look on wheat leaves for locusts
Threshold: Counts of 1-5 locusts per square metre may require control action. If you have more than 5 locusts per square meter direct control is urgent

Control

Solution
Handpick or sweep net locusts
Use pneumatic sucking-capture machines to collect locusts

Solution Product Category Application Details and Notes (commercial product example)
Metarhizium anisopliae
Microbiological insecticide
Apply biopesticides with beneficial fungi (2.5% metarhizium anisopliae), ultra-low volume sprayer, usually at 50ml/ha but check product labels. Make sure you use the right beneficial fungal strain
Neem oil
Natural compound
Apply neem botanicals (0.3% neem oil, ultra-low volume spray, usually at 150ml/ha)

Regulations surrounding chemical products can change rapidly – always verify chemicals recommended here with the most recent legislation and lists of products registered for your country
Solution Product Category Application Details and Notes (commercial product example) Chemical Group IRAC Code
Malathion 
Synthetic insecticide
Usually applied at: 600-1200g/ha, effective spray range 3-5m, spray height 0.7-1m, but double-check product labels. Ultra-low volume mobile spray
Organophosphates
1B
Cypermethrin 
Synthetic insecticide
(For example Cymbush). Usually applied at:37.5-52.5g/ha
Pyrethroids
3A
The information made available here has been obtained from or is based upon sources believed by CABI to be reliable but is not guaranteed as to accuracy or completeness. Anyone acting or relying on such information does so entirely at their own risk. The efficacy of the IPM methods included above will depend on local conditions and might not always be suitable everywhere within the specified country.