Damage and loss in yield of wheat crops caused by the Australian plague locust, Chortoicetes terminifera (Walker)

Abstract

Damage and loss in yield of wheat crops caused by the Australian plague locust, Chortoicetes terminlfera (Walker), during the major locust plague in the spring of 1984 were assessed. Although severe plant defoliation was observed, yield was affected more by the timing of the attack than by the severity of leaf damage. Major losses in yield occurred both through leaf damage near anthesis and by severing of the whole ear during the milky ripe stage, though losses were insignificant if defoliation alone occurred more than 12 days after anthesis. The implications for control are discussed.