Locusts spotted in northern Vic

Victorians are being asked to keep an eye out for locust activity following reports they are breeding in the state's north.

Victorian plague locust commissioner Gordon Berg says the locusts were swept into Victoria from NSW on northerly winds in mid-March and were seen in low numbers in Swan Hill, Kerang and Serpentine.

He says some immature locusts were seen near Kerang in April, but there is no evidence yet that they have laid egg beds in the soil, ready to hatch in spring.

Mr Berg says locust seasons have been unusually quiet since a 2010/11 major outbreak of the pests that threaten agriculture.

"That's a long period to not see any locusts - and that's not just Victoria. That's NSW and Queensland as well," he said.

"So, it does appear over the past season that things have started to move a little bit. There is a little more activity up north and consequently a little more influx to Victoria."

Locust activity should be reported by email to plant.protection@ecodev.vic.gov.au.