Locusts on the rise

Adults locusts have begun laying eggs around Charlton, St Arnaud and Donald and the Department of Primary Industries predicts egg-laying will begin around Horsham next week.

State locust director Chris Sounness said little could be done to control the plague but reporting egg beds would help the department monitor the next generation of locusts.

Mr Sounness said some hatchlings had already been reported in the Wimmera but most eggs would hatch in January.

"Our field crews will be out to verify reported egg beds and we will regularly monitor these sites when hatching is occurring," he said.

"We will be trying to mitigate the number of locusts around in autumn."

Mr Sounness said locusts were in large numbers throughout all of northern Victoria.

He said the insects were not technically 'swarming' but were 'in transit' in large groups.

"They're not moving in swarms in the traditional sense of the word but they are everywhere," he said.

"They seem to be moving in a southerly direction but where they are headed to, no-one really knows."

Mr Sounness said egg beds could be identified by small 'drill holes' in the ground.

He said female locusts often made test holes without laying eggs and landholders should dig up clods of soil to inspect the density of eggs in the soil.

Mr Sounness said people could report egg beds by calling the DPI Locust Hotline on 1300 135 559.