Locusts take flight in northern Victoria

Locusts are swarming in Victoria's north and are heading south, says the Department
of Primary Industries (DPI).
State Locust Director Stephen Nee said locusts had taken flight across along the
Murray River and south of Swan Hill, with some swarms stretching up to 25
kilometres.
"High- and medium-density swarms have been reported in Echuca, Charlton, St Arnaud,
Quambatook and Wycheproof, flying south," Mr Nee said on Saturday.
Locust swarms can be unpredictable, but with warmer weather forecast in the state's
north this weekend it's expected that greater numbers of locusts may start to fly."
Mr Nee said farmers had to make business decisions about whether to spray the adult
locusts to protect crops, keeping in mind that the spraying of flying adult locusts
was much less effective than spraying hoppers on the ground.
He also urged motorists to take care as swarms can block visibility when driving.
"Drivers should pull over or slow down if their vision is impaired by swarms," Mr
Nee said.