Please note: this is an archived news article release

This article was published on Friday, 20 April, 2018. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

Autumn action required to reduce impact of Queensland Fruit Fly on next season crops

The number of young flies able to survive the approaching winter will reduce throughout April and May, with the focus now on minimising adult QFF numbers.

Goulburn Murray Valley Regional QFF Coordinator Ross Abberfield said the continued implementation of control measures at a community level was essential.

“During April and May, as the weather cools down, QFF males and females change survival strategies from reproduction to winter survival and at this time extra protein, for both sexes, is essential for their survival,” Mr Abberfield said.

It is important to manage and control flies in the lead up to winter by:

managing plants that are fruiting by picking up and destroying fallen fruit, harvesting fruit still on the tree and removing unwanted host plants and trees; and
managing QFF adults still actively looking for ripe fruit to sting by restricting access to ripe fruit through netting and sleeves and the use of traps and baiting.

Particular attention should be given to feijoas, apples, ripe oranges, plums and late peaches.

“It is extremely important to reduce the number of QFF able to lay their eggs into fruit, as it is the offspring of these flies that will survive over winter and cause problems to the community and the commercial grower next season,” Mr Abberfield said.

Mr Abberfield reminded keen gardeners, property owners, farmers and commercial growers of the combined community effort required to reduce the spread of QFF and protect the region’s horticultural industry.

“The Queensland Fruit Fly is a serious threat to our region’s multi-million dollar horticultural industry, the local economy and the many jobs the industry supports.

“We are asking the community to remain active throughout autumn to help us safeguard next season’s crops and ensure the viability and future of our horticulture sector,” Mr Abberfield said.

Potential breeding grounds exist in home gardens, orchards, untended properties, roadsides, channel banks and bushland with gardeners, farmers and commercial growers asked to continue to implement control measures.

“If we can tackle fruit fly now by taking extra care to pick up and destroy fallen fruit and harvesting any fruit that is still on the tree and processing, eating or destroying it, we can significantly reduce the threat throughout autumn and importantly next season,” he said.

For more information about what you can do to help reduce the spread of QFF pick up an information pack from Council’s Customer Service Centre or go to www.gmv-qldfruitfly.com.au