PLAGUE locusts are being attacked by a parasite in the Riverina, decreasing the threat of devastating swarms next spring.
The plague locusts, which flew into Victoria from NSW last Easter, are being attacked by a fly parasite which either kills the locusts or renders them moribund.
Victorian locust commissioner Gordon Berg said in some areas of the Riverina up to 90 per cent of the locusts had been killed by the parasites.
"It often happens with locusts plagues that after a while the parasites do build up," Mr Berg said.
He said massive numbers flew into Victoria from NSW at Easter last year, causing severe damage to vegetable crops, early sown wheat and forage crops.
However, Mr Berg said there was "no likelihood of sustained migration from NSW this year".
He said there were still active swarms of locusts in an area from the southern Wimmera to Ballarat.
"If we have a warm, sunny day in the southern Wimmera, then they will become active," Mr Berg said.
While the spring hatching would not be as extensive as last year, landholders should report any egg beds, he said.
"We've had very few reports of egg laying, either because the locusts are not laying eggs or there are very few in comparison to this time last year," Mr Berg said.
"Public reporting has dropped off as people have become used to them (the locusts)."
The DPI has received 19,600 calls to report locust activity since September 1 last year.
Most of these were from northwest Victoria.
