In connection with the discovery last year of the mass reproduction of a dangerous pest - migratory locust (Locusta migratoria) - on the territory of the Slobozhansk City Council of the Chuguiv district and the introduction of a special regime for plant protection, the Department of Phytosanitary Safety and Control in Plant Growing of the Main Department of the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection in Kharkiv region draws the attention of enterprises, institutions, organizations and citizens to the need for enhanced monitoring. According to Article 5 of the Law of Ukraine "On Plant Protection", when conducting surveys of agricultural and other lands, it is necessary to pay maximum attention to the development and spread of especially dangerous harmful organisms, in particular migratory locusts.
The locust is a typical polyphagous insect, feeding on all plants, but preferring cereal crops – corn, millet, sorghum, wheat, as well as reeds, wheatgrass, etc. Up to 20 species of the locust family are common in Ukraine, and the gregarious species are the Italian cockroach and the migratory (Asian) locust and its subspecies. The development of locusts is cyclical, which depends primarily on weather conditions and solar activity. All locusts that are common in Ukraine have one generation per year. In our climatic conditions, winter is the main limiting factor for the spread of the pest. One adult locust can lay eggs only once – in September. Low winter temperatures and an appropriate set of agrotechnical measures contribute to reducing the number of pests.
On hot days, the body of locusts evaporates a large amount of water, to replenish which they eat plants (i.e. not because of hunger, but driven by thirst). The harmfulness of the larvae increases as they move into older ages, especially in hot weather (20-28°C). High air temperatures often cause massive movement of larvae, usually in one direction, in search of juicy vegetation, in particular into crops. On cultivated plants, they eat all above-ground parts, primarily leaves, on cereals - they gnaw off spikelets, and also eat juicy fruits. Adult locusts fly in groups over distances of up to several tens of kilometers. But during strong winds, flocks of gregarious locusts can be carried even further.
Having grouped together, locusts travel on foot and eat all the plants on their way. At first, insects travel up to 150 m per day, later - more than 1 km, and after three weeks they are able to cover several tens of kilometers. Having turned into an adult with developed wings, locusts rise into the air and fly over considerable distances.
The migratory locust has a very wide distribution area. It lives in deserts as well as in places where it is quite wet and cold. This means that it is able to adapt to very different conditions.
When detecting a locust swarm, urgent measures should be taken to limit the spread of this pest. Timely and thorough inspections of agricultural lands are crucial for making decisions about crop protection. Inspections are best carried out after sunrise and before 9 a.m. or from 6 p.m. to sunset, when locusts are relatively dormant on plants.
The strategy and tactics of limiting the spread of locusts should be based on effective agrotechnical, organizational, economic and extermination measures. Protective treatments of crops against locusts begin with the mass appearance of first-instar larvae. Spraying is carried out when the number of Italian cockroaches is 2–5 individuals per sq. m, non-herding locusts - 10–15 individuals per sq. m. When carrying out protective treatments, insecticides must be used in accordance with the «List of pesticides and agrochemicals permitted for use in Ukraine» in compliance with the regulations for their use and safety precautions, ensuring the preservation of beneficial entomofauna and honey bees.
Additionally, we inform you that in accordance with Article 18 of the Law of Ukraine "On Plant Protection", enterprises, institutions, organizations of all forms of ownership and citizens are obliged to conduct systematic inspections of land, crops, plantations, products of plant origin, storage facilities, etc. in the field of plant protection and, in the event of detection of the spread of harmful organisms, to inform the central executive body that implements state policy in the field of plant protection, i.e. the Main Department of the State Service for Food and Consumer Protection in the Kharkiv region.
In order to promptly implement measures to limit the mass development and spread of especially dangerous harmful organisms, including those from the locust family, if they are detected, please immediately inform the Department of Phytosanitary Safety and Control in Plant Growing of the Main Department of the State Service for Food and Consumer Protection in the Kharkiv region.