COOLER weather has stopped the locust migration for now.
But authorities are warning Victoria could face its worst locust attack for decades.
The Australian Plague Locust Commission said the current locust swarm in Victoria is the most widespread since 1974, with growing local populations swelled by migrations from southern NSW.
And farmers are being warned to prepare for an onslaught in spring.
Already there has been damage to autumn fodder crops, vegetables, canola and emerging cereal crops.
The APLC said swarms would decline in May and further significant long-distance migration was unlikely. But spring is a different story.
"A serious widespread nymph infestation is expected in NSW, northern Victoria and eastern South Australia during spring," according to the APLC.
"The plague situation, where numerous regions across several member states are affected by high densities of locusts, could continue during spring and summer if there is a high level of nymphal survival in spring."
