Dieldrin lattices applied by aircraft for controlling hoppers of the red locust, Nomadacris septemfasciata (Serville).

Abstract

Large-scale operational trials of dieldrin lattices applied by aircraft for controlling hoppers of the red locust, Nomadacris septemfasciata (Serv.), were carried out in the North Eukwa outbreak area in south-western Tanganyika during 1958 and 1959. Single swaths of dieldrin aqueous emulsion spray were applied by aircraft to vegetation at wide intervals and in two directions at 90°, forming a rectilinear lattice distribution of poisoned strips of vegetation over large, hopper-infested areas. Hoppers, especially those in bands, were killed on eating the poisoned vegetation in the strips which they encountered during their migrations. An accurate method of lattice layout by aircraft pilots without assistance from ground marking parties was developed, and the whole operation was used on a large scale for controlling the hopper infestation in North Eukwa in 1959.