The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is responding to the detection of Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) in Perth’s southern suburbs.
The damaging fruit pest was detected in the department’s Qfly surveillance traps in the Como and South Perth area, providing a vital early warning to activate the State’s eradication efforts.
DPIRD officers will be inspecting street trees and trees on residential and commercial properties in the area and applying a registered organic bait that is designed to attract and kill the pest.
Qfly is one of the world’s worst fruit pests which infests a wide range of fruits and some fruiting vegetables including tomato, chilli and capsicum. Qfly is present in other parts of Australia but is not established in WA.
Chief Plant Biosecurity Officer Vincent Lanoiselet said a Quarantine Area and measures would be declared to help stop the pest from spreading. Further information will be provided for impacted landholders to support the eradication effort.
As a general rule, ripening and fallen fruit and fruiting vegetables should be disposed of by solarising to kill any potential Qfly maggots. This means securing fruit in a black plastic bag in the sun before placing in the general waste bin, not the food organics, garden organics (FOGO) bin.
Dr Lanoiselet said DPIRD had successfully eradicated 10 previous outbreaks of Qfly in Perth including the most recent infestation of the pest in Willagee and surrounding suburbs last year.
“The tremendous support of the community and industry has been critical to the success of these eradication campaigns,” Dr Lanoiselet said.
"The community is encouraged to look for and report suspect Qfly, which are six to eight millimetres long, with a red-brownish torso and yellow patches, dark brown abdomen and clear wings.
“Reports of suspected Qfly, including maggots in fruit and especially tomato, chilli and capsicum, can be made via the MyPestGuide Reporter app or DPIRD’s Pest and Disease Information Service at padis@dpird.wa.gov.au.”
More information about Qfly is available from the DPIRD website www.dpird.wa.gov.au/qfly
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