The state’s fruit fly problems may have spread to mainland Tasmania, with Biosecurity Tasmania staff investigating suspected Queensland fruit fly larvae on apricots near Spreyton.
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Entomologists have preliminarily identified the larvae as a species of Bactrocera fruit fly, which is a List A pest under the Plant Quarantine Act 1997.
Fruit fly larvae was discovered in apricots at two Flinders Island sites within the past week.
Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment department chief plant health manager Andrew Bishop said a resident reported the larvae in fruit grown in their backyard.
“We have immediately implemented our Tasmanian Fruit Fly Operations Standard and have now established control zones around this site, as well as implementing surveillance and control actions,” Mr Bishop said.
This action includes:
- Full site assessment of the infected property
- All susceptible fruit or vegetables being removed from the site under biosecurity measures
- Treatment of surrounding soil
- Inspection of surrounding properties within a 200 metre radius to determine extent of incursion
- Establishment of intensive trapping program within a 1.5 kilometre radius
- Implementation of further control actions as required.
The larvae is also being genetically tested to confirm identification, which may help with tracing the source.
“At this stage we are focusing on eradication of the pest from the infected sites, determining the extent of the incursion to implement further measures if required and undertaking genetic testing and other investigations,” Mr Bishop said.
It was too early to tell if the North-West incursion is linked to the Flinders Island detection.
Surveillance and treatment actions are continuing on Flinders Island.
The Tasmanian government has informed its federal and state counterparts.
“We have also informed industry and major growers and a major priority is to work closely with them and interstate authorities to minimise impacts on our growers,” Mr Bishop said.
“We will be continuing to keep them informed and continue to work closely with them as we implement necessary actions while this incursion is managed.”
Sites around Spreyton will receive information on Biosecurity Tasmania’s response plan, the treatment options and measures people can take relating to the movement and removal of fruit.
Tasmanians are encouraged to be aware and look for signs of fruit fly.
Fruit fly larvae look like blowfly maggots and are usually easy to see in the fruit flesh.
People are required by law to report any signs of fruit fly on their property to the Biosecurity Operations Centre on 6165 3774.
More information about fruit fly can be found at the department’s website: www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/plant- biosecurity/pests-and- diseases/fruit-fly