Map tracks the occurrence of locusts in Rio Grande do Sul

The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Mapa) informs that technicians from the Secretariat of Agriculture of Rio Grande do Sul (Seapdr/RS) are visiting the regions of the state where locust outbreaks have been reported. Samples are being collected to confirm the species by the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), previously identified by a specialist from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS) as Zoniopoda iheringi e Chromacris speciosa. 

These species are considered endemic to Brazil, naturally occurring, and do not have migratory habits with the formation of clouds, like the one that caused the alert and phytosanitary emergency situation a few months ago.   

Outbreaks of non-migratory locusts can occur relatively frequently especially if climatic conditions are favorable such as dry weather and low rainfall accumulated in the last summer harvests in that state. 

The regions continue to be monitored by teams from the RS Department of Agriculture in order to delimit the perifocal area and the scope of infestations. The occurrence was reported by rural producers in the municipalities of Santo Augusto, São Valério do Sul and Bom Progresso, all in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. 

Regarding possible measures to be adopted by the Ministry, an assessment will be carried out after confirming the species and the results of field surveys regarding the real levels of damage caused by the pest. 

Producers are advised not to take preventive measures against infestations, as this could increase the imbalance between the natural enemies of these species and worsen the damage in the future. Now is the time to keep an eye on any significant locust populations.

If outbreaks are detected, it must be communicated through the surveillance network: email: vigifito@agricultura.rs.gov.br; WhatsApp: (51) 98412-9961 and telephone: (51) 3288-6289 or 3288 6294.