To Top It All!

Locust swarm inspires new pizza topping

Entrepreneurs are taking advantage of locust swarms sweeping northern Victoria, with one Mildura cafe offering a locust pizza to patrons.

Authorities say the swarms are among the biggest seen in northern Victoria in 30 years.

In the Mallee, the insects are plastered across the front of vehicles forced to drive through locust clouds.

The idea for the pizza was the brainchild of Mayor Glenn Milne, who rounded up the insects and trapped them in a garbage bag.

"You can't stop finding them when they get killed on your car, but it's another story when you get out on the oval and try to catch them," he said.

Mildura car wash operator Jeff Becker says his business has quadrupled as motorists try to keep their windscreens clean.

"The bugs don't care, they'll just get on your car," he said. "Doesn't matter who you are, what you drive."

The swarms are not such good news for farmers because the locusts are feasting on early-sown crops.

The pests are also causing problems for footballers, lawn bowlers and golfers who are having to play on through clouds of locusts attacking any grassed playing surface.