Cotton under threat in the west of the state

"They're out there, they're big and they can strip a crop overnight".

Senior ranger with the Central West Livestock Health and Pest Authority Lisa Thomas is urging farmers and graziers to be on the alert for spur-throated locusts, which are causing serious damage to plants across her region.

Cotton and citrus growers at Bourke and Walgett have been reporting increased spur-throate locust activity over the past two weeks, with many suffering considerable damage to crops in small sections.

Now the locusts are being found in the cotton crops around Nyngan, Narromine and Trangie, and they are creating havoc, Lisa says.

"They can do a lot of damage, even just overnight.

"They can strip a crop in a matter of hours.

"These locusts are bigger than the plague locusts, they are hungry and they do not swarm at this stage of their growth.

"So they are just staying there, eating everything in sight."

Lisa urges farmers to inspect their crops carefully for any sign of spur-throated locust activity.

"I'd also warn graziers to watch out for locusts; I know of farmers who have had to move stock because the pasture has been so seriously affected."

(Source: http://www.abc.net.au/rural/content/2011/s3133959.htm?site=westernplains)