The first locust hatchings have been reported in Victoria, with reports of swarms now forming in central Queensland.

Agribusiness analysts are predicting the worst locust season for 75 years with talk of swarms even reaching Melbourne.

Currently eggs have been detected from central Queensland in a swath south through central NSW, northern Victoria and SA. A 20km-long egg bed was discovered last week on a property in northern Victoria.

The State Government has opened its first regional locust incident control centre at Mildura to co-ordinate the response on the ground.

AgriRisk MD John van der Vegt told insuranceNEWS.com.au no damage to crops has been reported yet.

“At this stage we are just monitoring the situation,” he said.

While farmers cannot insure against crop damage from locusts, the potential plague will have an impact on crop insurers’ premiums next year.

Crop insurance is based on the previous harvest’s yields so if locusts destroy the crop, the yields – and premiums – will be low.

Mr van der Vegt says with the good winter rains, a bumper crop has been predicted for this year, but that is now uncertain depending on the locust damage during the next few months.

With warmer weather occurring in NSW, Victoria and SA, hatchings are expected to speed up and state governments will be spraying them while they are at still the “hopper” stage before taking flight.

Once they have reached the flight stage the predicted damage area could expand as the insects can travel up to 30km a day, depending on winds.