The Western Australia Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) has confirmed the detection of six Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) in the state’s Alfred Cove area.
The first two male fruit flies were found in surveillance traps on 18 November, with a further four caught on 23 November in the same area.
“Qfly is considered Australia’s worst fruit pest, impacting on more than 200 different fruits and some vegetables,” DAFWA entomologist Darryl Hardie explained. “It attacks a wide range of hosts including citrus, figs, grapes and mangoes, which are also attacked by the long established Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) that is endemic in Western Australia except the Ord river irrigation Area.”
While Qfly had previously been detected in state capital Perth, it has been successful eradicated in 1989 1995 and 2011, according to DAFWA. This detection means just two states in Australia, Tasmania and South Australia, remain Qfly-free.
DAFWA is continuing its surveillance of the area and is working with the state’s fruit and vegetable industries to develop a response plan.
