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What is it?
The adult Queensland Fruit Fly is only about 7
mm long and reddish brown with yellow markings.
However, it is recognised as one of the world's
worst fruit pests - it could cost fruit growers
more than $100 million each year! Adult fruit
flies lay their eggs in ripe fruit, maggots then
hatch from the eggs and tunnel through the flesh
of the fruit turning it into a brown, filthy pulp.
This means that the fruit is inedible. It lowers
the profit farmers can make from their fruit,
prevents the sale of fruit to some interstate
and overseas markets, and can result in loss of
jobs in the community.
Where
is it found?
Queensland Fruit Fly is an Australian native insect,
found in eastern Australia in coastal districts
from northern Queensland to eastern Victoria,
and in inland areas of Queensland and northern
New South Wales. However, when they are found
in fruit production areas they have devastating
effects. In Victoria, New South Wales, and South
Australia a Tri-State Fruit Fly Exclusion Zone
has been set up to protect fruit production areas.
Activities are conducted within this area to stop
the spread of fruit fly.
How can I help?
Do not take fruit into the Fruit Fly Exclusion
Zone. These areas can be identified by signs
on the side of the road.
If you have fruit trees in your backyard and live
within the fruit fly exclusion zone:
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Prune
your fruit trees regularly, keeping the
tops of the trees to a manageable height making
fruit picking easier; |
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Remove
any ripe fruit from fruit trees before
it has a chance to fall to the ground; |
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If fruit does fall to the ground, collect
it immediately and place it into a black plastic
bag and leave in the sun for 3-7 days to
kill any maggots in the fruit. |
If you find Queensland Fruit Fly maggots in your
fruit report it immediately to the Department
of Primary Industries on 136 186.
More
information:
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www.dpi.vic.gov.au
> Agriculture and Food > Crops Pastures and
Weeds > Pests and diseases > Queensland Fruit
Fly |
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www.dpi.nsw.gov.au
> Agriculture > Horticulture > Pests, diseases
and disorders > Queensland Fruit Fly |
| » |
www.dpi.vic.gov.au
and search for Queensland Fruit Fly |
LandLearn is currently developing a curriculum resource
package about Queensland Fruit Fly and its impact,
and individual's responsibilities.
next»
Fruit Fly investigators -
activity
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Fruit
fly larvae in an orange
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