In Salisbury North, South Australia, a Queensland fruit fly outbreak has prompted the Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) to implement stringent quarantine measures. Following the detection of six Queensland fruit flies in surveillance traps, PIRSA has called for community adherence to new containment protocols for fresh produce within the designated outbreak zone, detailed at fruitfly.sa.gov.au. PIRSA personnel, recognizable in orange overalls, are visiting homes to apply organic bait and inspect for infestation signs, such as maggots in fruit.
Nick Secomb, PIRSA's biosecurity director, highlighted the necessity of public cooperation and adherence to quarantine measures to halt the pest's spread. He advised against the movement of fresh fruits and vegetables within the 1.5km Outbreak Area and encouraged reporting of any infestation signs to the Fruit Fly Hotline. PIRSA's eradication strategy includes organic bait application, fruit inspections, and potentially the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) program. Secomb noted that while cooler weather might reduce fruit fly activity, it would not eliminate the threat. He stressed the importance of garden maintenance and removal of unwanted fruit to disrupt the fruit fly life cycle. PIRSA aims to lift the quarantine later this year, contingent on no further detections of wild flies or larvae.
Source: glamadelaide.com.au