It’s been more than a month since fruit flies were discovered in Tasmania.
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No further fruit flies have been detected since the control area was extended across the Tamar River mouth on February 20.
However, the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment has called for the public to remain vigilant.
“Statewide monitoring is continuing through regular checking of more than 1000 traps that are part of the ongoing Statewide fruit fly monitoring program,” he said.
Ongoing surveillance work and host produce inspections were taking place at and around the sites, he said.
At present, there are two fruit fly control areas. An additional 250 traps have been installed on Flinders Island and more than 190 traps have been set up in the northern control area, he said.
“Spot baiting of sites at and around the detection sites on both Flinders Island and within the northern control area is also ongoing.”
The first fruit fly larvae were found at Lady Barron on Flinders Island on January 19.
More larvae were discovered approximately 20 kilometres west of the original site within a matter of days.
The first mainland Tasmania detection was made on January 24 near Spreyton.
Since then the control area has shifted across from Devonport to also encompass George Town.
Tess Brunton
I recently returned from across the ditch where I worked at New Zealand Fairfax paper The Timaru Herald and developed a love of mountains. Originally I'm a mainlander from an area known for cheese, the Bega Valley, who also dabbled in radio at ABC RCAFF before finding a place in newspapers. I can often be found hiking, caving or climbing when I'm not cursing at my work computer or technology in general.
I recently returned from across the ditch where I worked at New Zealand Fairfax paper The Timaru Herald and developed a love of mountains. Originally I'm a mainlander from an area known for cheese, the Bega Valley, who also dabbled in radio at ABC RCAFF before finding a place in newspapers. I can often be found hiking, caving or climbing when I'm not cursing at my work computer or technology in general.
