Locust plague looms as eggs hatch

The first bugs of the worst locust plague in a generation are crawling on the land, and New South Wales' farmers are being urged to report the hatchings, and treat them on the ground.

Primary Industries Minister Steve Whan says if the locusts aren't treated when they're crawling, they might develop into one thousand hectares of adult swarms, which can travel up to 600 kilometres or more in a single night.

The first hatching at Nyngan was reported this week by a farmer.

Rangers have also confirmed a second spate of hatching locusts at Byrock, between Bourke and Nyngan.