Australia: More exotic flies found in Torres Strait - FreshFruitPortal.com

Australia: More exotic flies found in Torres Strait

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Australia: More exotic flies found in Torres Strait

Queensland Government surveillance to detect and eradicate exotic fruit fly incursions in the Torres Strait has reported the highest number of flies found in traps since 1999. Killer White Fluff - Badu Island Torres Strait - Flickr Creative Commons

Principal Policy Officer for Biosecurity Queensland Craig Jennings said Federal and State departments were putting up traps and conducting treatments on several islands in the Torres Strait, the Northern Peninsular Area and in Weipa in response to the increased detections.

"The active fruit fly season normally runs from October through to May/June, which is the duration of the wet season in the north," Jennings said in a release.

"NAQS [Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy] and Biosecurity Queensland officers are on the ground to ensure extra baiting and surveillance is undertaken.

"The response plan that is currently being implemented in the Torres Strait aims to eradicate these seasonal incursions of exotic fruit fly before they have the opportunity to build up and eventually spread to the mainland."

Jennings said an increase in fruit flies often brought a greater risk that people may unintentionally move them when traveling between islands or to the mainland.

"This risk of human-assisted movement of fruit flies may have resulted in one of the targeted exotic fruit flies being detected recently on Horn Island," he said.

"Therefore, we ask the community to be vigilant when travelling between Torres Strait islands and the mainland, and not to transport fruit or plant matter.

"Australian Government staff at airports in the Torres Strait and in Cairns have been notified about the increase in exotic fruit fly, as the Torres Strait islands through to Cape York are a main pathway into mainland Australia."

The Exotic fruit flies found were about 8 to 10 millimetres long and lay their eggs just under the skin of fruit.

“While laying their eggs the fly will also deposit bacteria that cause fruit to decay. As a result, extensive damage to the fruit can occur and lead to premature fruit drop,” Jennings said.

"Fruit flies are one of the world’s most destructive horticulture pests, which is why we are doing everything possible to protect our horticultural industries from this potential threat."

The Australian Government commits approximately AUD$11 million (US$8.2 million) per annum to help support an early warning system for exotic pests, weed and disease detections across northern Australia.

Photo: Killer White Fluff, via Flickr Creative Commons

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