Key Takeaways:
- The Queensland fruit fly has been detected in Auckland, prompting a biosecurity response from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)
- The fruit fly poses a significant threat to New Zealand’s horticulture industry, with 80% of crops at risk of attack
- The establishment of the Queensland fruit fly in New Zealand could result in trading partners placing restrictions on the export of New Zealand produce
- MPI uses over 7,800 traps to detect fruit flies, including the Queensland fruit fly, and has detected 41 queens in a 1km detection buffer
- The public can report suspected sightings of the Queensland fruit fly by calling the MPI exotic pest and disease hotline, emailing MPI, or reporting online
Introduction to the Queensland Fruit Fly
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has launched a biosecurity response in Auckland after detecting the presence of the Queensland fruit fly in the area. The detection was announced through a brochure featuring a large picture of the fruit fly, which was distributed to residents in the affected neighbourhood. The brochure warned of the risks posed by the fruit fly, including the potential for significant damage to the horticulture industry. The Queensland fruit fly is known to lay its eggs in fruit, and when the maggots hatch, they eat the fruit, causing it to rot. This can result in significant losses for growers, with the fruit fly costing hundreds of millions of dollars a year in Queensland.
The Risks to New Zealand’s Horticulture Industry
The detection of the Queensland fruit fly in Auckland has significant implications for New Zealand’s horticulture industry. MPI estimates that 80% of New Zealand’s horticulture crops could be attacked by the Queensland fruit fly, posing a major threat to the industry. The risks go beyond the direct threat of crop destruction, as the establishment of the Queensland fruit fly in New Zealand could result in the country’s trading partners placing restrictions on the export of New Zealand produce. This could have a devastating impact on the industry, which is worth billions of dollars to the New Zealand economy. The maggots are known to eat more than 200 different types of fruit and vegetables, with their favourites including guava, stone-fruit, tomatoes, and mango.
Biosecurity Response
MPI has launched a biosecurity response to the detection of the Queensland fruit fly, which includes the use of insecticide treatments and trapping. The response is centred on Auckland, where two of MPI’s five active biosecurity operations are currently underway. Last year, a queen yellow-legged hornet was discovered in Glenfield, and a total of 41 queens have been found in a 1km detection buffer. This is not the first time the Queensland fruit fly has been detected in Auckland, with previous detections in Devonport and Northcote in 2019 triggering a six-month, $18 million operation. The 2015 response to Queensland fruit fly detections in the Grey Lynn area cost $15.7 million.
Fruit Fly Surveillance
Biosecurity New Zealand uses more than 7,800 traps to detect 100 species of fruit fly, including the Queensland fruit fly. The traps are placed in areas where flies are most likely to enter the country, such as near airports, seaports, and densely populated areas. Trapping runs from September to June, when fruit flies are active, and if a breeding population is found, insecticide treatments are used. However, if only males or only females are found, insecticides are not needed. The public can play an important role in detecting the Queensland fruit fly by reporting any suspected sightings to MPI. This can be done by calling the MPI exotic pest and disease hotline, emailing MPI, or reporting online.
Reporting Suspected Sightings
It is essential that the public reports any suspected sightings of the Queensland fruit fly to MPI. This can be done by calling the MPI exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 809 966, emailing MPI at [email protected], or reporting online at report.mpi.govt.nz. When reporting online, it is essential to select the "plants, spiders or insects" option from the dropdown list. By reporting suspected sightings, the public can help MPI to detect and respond to the Queensland fruit fly, reducing the risk of its establishment in New Zealand. The public can also sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by editors and delivered straight to their inbox every weekday, to stay up-to-date with the latest news and information on the Queensland fruit fly and other biosecurity issues.
