MPI confirms fourth fruit fly find in controlled area

The Ministry for Primary Industries has confirmed a fourth fruit fly in Grey Lynn and believes it to be part of the same localised population as previous detections.

A single male Queensland fruit fly was found on Sunday in a trap inside the existing Controlled Area.

There are no changes to the Controlled Area as a result of the find at this stage, says MPI Chief Operations Officer Andrew Coleman.

"We have been expecting to find more flies, so the latest detection is no surprise, and confirms that the trapping systems continues to be successful.

"The find was close to the original detections, so we believe the fly is likely to be part of the same population."

MPI has so far trapped three male fruit flies. A single unmated female was located at a residential property on Friday.

MPI and its response partners, including GIA signatories KVH and PipfruitNZ, have moved quickly to respond to the fruit fly threat.

MPI currently has more than 180 staff working in the field on the response.

The response involves the use of movement controls, traps, public awareness and treatment. Stricter controls continue to be applied at New Zealand’s borders.

During the weekend, ground staff laid bait in Zone A of the Controlled Area. It expects to lay bait in the rest of the area today. Ground-based spraying has also been completed under the fruiting trees where positive finds have been made.

"We continue to appreciate the outstanding public support we have received for our movement controls," says Mr Coleman.

"We have every confidence that our measures will effectively eradicate this population.”

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