Auckland Queensland fruit fly - Operations updates

Operations update 10

9 March 2015

New detections

• Over the weekend (7/8 March), MPI’s field laboratory detected Queensland fruit fly larvae in windfall fruit collected from two properties nearby to the original affected property.

• There are now a total of four properties in very close proximity that are receiving ground treatment for fruit fly. This includes targeted foliage spraying and use of insecticide granules. MPI is working with the residents of these properties and sincerely thanks them for their ongoing support.

• No adult flies were detected over the weekend (7/8 March) and the total number of adult Queensland fruit flies captured in Auckland remains at 14.

• The situation remains that MPI is working to eradicate a localised population of fruit fly.

• We cannot be definite about an end date to the operation but it is expected to take several months.

Containment, surveillance and eradication

• Controls on fruit and vegetable movements remain fully in force and the instructions remain the same – whole fresh fruit and vegetables (except for leafy vegetables and root vegetables) cannot be moved outside of the Controlled Area. This is to ensure that fruit flies are not spread outside of the area.

• Detailed maps of the Controlled Area and a full description of the boundaries, and full information about the rules are at http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/pests/queensland-fruit-fly

• Field work continues to focus on the surveillance trapping system, which aims to capture any male fruit flies present in the area, and ultimately inform us that the eradication is successful.

• Field teams are also applying insecticide and protein bait throughout the Controlled Area, informing residents about the controls and inspecting gardens and rubbish bins.

• The bait is being spot applied as squirts onto fruiting trees and plants throughout the Controlled Area.

• Targeted ground application of insecticide is only taking place at properties where fruit flies, larvae or pupae have been found.

• All properties within the A zone have their own dedicated disposal bin to get rid of fruit and vegetable waste from their properties. Residents in the A zone have been asked to leave any fruit from trees in their garden on the ground for MPI to inspect.

• Residents in the B zone have access to disposal rubbish bins at 200m intervals around the zone.

• An interactive map includes the locations of disposal bins in B Zone. The direct link is: http://mpi-bs.cloud.eaglegis.co.nz/apps/mpi-fruitfly/ /

• MPI will continue to have an ongoing presence at community events within or near the Controlled Area over the coming months to provide information to the public and answer questions.

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