INTEGRATED LOCUST MANAGEMENT

On receiving the message of Locust swarm invasion, farmers may take following preventive measures

1. Farmers should go to their cropped field and make loud sound by beating empty tins/metal plates, drum or radio or through other electronic sound system to prevent locust swarm landing in the crop.

2. Spray Neem based formulation (0.15% EC) @ 45 ml/15 liter water on standing crop as feeding deterrent.

3. Dust the crop with Quinalphos 1.5 % DP or chloropyriphos 1.5% DP or Methyl Parathion 2% DP@ 25 kg/ha on standing crop.

4. Dig a trench 2 feet deep and 2 feet wide in front of marching hopper band and then apply Quinalphos 1.5% DP or chloropyriphos 1.5% DP or Methyl Parathion 2% DP dust in the trench or if water is available, pour water in the trench.

ULV sprayer

5. If the hopper band is roosting, either go for dusting Quinalphos 1.5% DP or chloropyriphos 1.5% DP or Methyl Parathion 2% DP dust @ 25 kg/ha or spray malathion 96% ULV @1.0 lit./ha or fenitrothion 96% ULV @ 1.0lit./ha with the help of ULV sprayer directly on the hopper band.

6. If the adult locust swarm has settled on the ground in uncultivated field, either go for dusting Quialphos 1.5% DP or chloropyriphos 1.5% DP or Methyl Parathion 2% DP dust @25kg/ha or spray malathion 96 % ULV @ 1.0 lit./ha or fenitrothion 96% ULV 2 1.0 lit./ha with the help of ULV sprayer directly on the hopper band provided it is in small area.

7. If it is on large uncultivated land, apply same dust of ULV formulation using vehicle mounted dusters/ULV sprayers as the case may be.

8. If a locust swarm is spotted invading a cropped area, the State Agriculture Department should arrange Aerial spraying of ULV formulation of insecticides like malathion 96% ULV @ 1.0 lit./ha of fenitrothion 96% ULV @1.0 lit/ha with the help of ULV nozzles fitted on a Helicopter.

9. If the Locust swarm is spotted settled in non schedule cropped or non-cropped area, the State Agriculture Department should arrange Aerial spraying of ULV formulation of insecticide like malathion 96% ULV @1.0 lit./ha or fenitrothion 96% ULV @ 0.5 lit./ha with the help of ULV nozzles fitted on a Helicopter.

10. Mix 500ml DDVP 76 EC 50 ml water in 100kg dry sand/Fine Soil and sprinkle in standing crop to kill adult locust.

Locusts are generally knocked down within short time after sprinkling the mixture.

CAUTION:

Apply during cool hours : 7 - 10 am or 5-7 pm.

Wear protective clothing/face mask/, hand gloves/googles/head cap while applying this mixture and leave the field as early as possible.

The crop should not be harvested for seven days after this treatment.

Some Other Details About Locust

Important Species of Locust in India

Desert Locust

Matured Adult Locust

Life Stages of Desert Locust

Stages: Egg - Hopper - Adult

Duration: Egg                      - 10-65 days

                 Hopper                - 24-95 days

                 Adult                    - 2.5-5 months

                 Laying-fledging  - 40-50 days

                 Adult maturation- 3weeks- 9 months

                 Total                    - 2-6 months

Larval moults: 5-6 (solitarious, 5 (gregarious)solitarious, transiens, gregarious

Phases Affected area:  Recession area-16 million km2.- Invasion area: 29 million km2

Locust Damage