Fruit fly increase
Trapping data confirms the 2020/21 Queensland fruit fly season has been particularly bad. This is largely due to the onset of the La Niña weather pattern which has been favourable for fruit fly proliferation.
All community members should be on the look-out for Queensland fruit fly increases and undertake a few simple actions:
- Monitor for fruit fly through traps
- Protect fruit and vegetables with baits and netting
- Check ripe or ripening fruit for sting marks and/or larval infestations
- Clean up fallen and unwanted fruit
- Fruit and tree removal and destruction
- Let your neighbours know if there is a fruit fly build-up
Optimal conditions
As daily temperatures start to get cooler, conditions become highly suitable for fruit fly to mate and lay eggs. Eggs laid during February will become a new generation of pest fruit flies in early autumn which attack autumn crops of fruit and fruiting vegetables. Queensland fruit fly are expected to continue to migrate from home gardens, through peri-urban orchards and gardens and into outlying rural commercial orchards and gardens through late summer and autumn. Action now will cut off the next fruit fly generation and increase future home garden and commercial orchard productivity.
Hot spot areas
The majority of potential Queensland fruit fly hot spots are currently located in urban areas and have been identified in the following locations:
Nagambie Euroa
Shepparton Ardmona
Kyabram Kialla
Mooroopna Merrigum
Koonoomoo
Extra vigilance is required in these areas.
Free fruit tree removal
The removal of unmanaged fruit trees eliminates a potential breeding ground and helps protect the region against fruit fly. Property owners with fruit trees they no longer want or find difficult to manage, can apply to have them removed free of charge through the Free Fruit Tree Removal Program. Collect an information pack from your local participating Council and complete and return the tree removal form to have your unwanted fruit tree removed.
