Locusts and locust control in the Markham Ramu Valley

Abstract

From early 1973 to November 1976, there was an oubreak of the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria in the Markham-Ramu Valley.
Locusta migratoria L. is a species of grasshopper found from Africa and Europe through central Asia to South East Asia, Australia and
the Pacific Islands including Papua New Guinea. This insect feeds on leaves of grasses, e.g. kunai, corn, sorghum and sugarcane, occasionally attacking coconuts and bananas.