BANDS of adult locusts are spreading further south, with large numbers being reported through the Wimmera and North Central regions this week.
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There were thick bands of locusts in the Stawell area on Sunday, and by Monday, there were also large numbers in the Horsham district.
It follows on from heavy activity in the epicenter for locust activity, the triangle between St Arnaud, Swan Hill and Echuca.
Wimmera Racing are confident one of their big events for the year, Sunday’s Santa Day races at Horsham will be able to proceed, providing numbers do not increase between now and then.
Cool weather with south-westerly winds are likely to ensure numbers do not increase too dramatically in western Victoria in the seven-day outlook period.
Although the bands are thickening in areas just north of the divide, authorities say that not all bands are technically swarming, with some groups still defined as ‘in transit’.
Damage to this stage has been relatively limited, but there are reports of the insects eating causing damage to horticultural products and pastures.
Along with this, there have been attacks on plants and lawns in urban areas.
