Latest on Fruit fly detections in the Auckland region – April 2019

Biosecurity New Zealand alongside industry partners are currently responding to detections of single male fruit flies in Auckland.

Latest situation

The fruit fly response in the Northcote area is about to step up again, with the focus on maintaining controls and resuming baiting and more intensive trapping.

Latest media release here.

Along with the continued movement restrictions, a network of fruit fly surveillance traps which attract male fruit flies have remained in the area over winter and were regularly checked, with the last single male fruit fly detected in the current controlled area on 15 July.

The response has found 10 flies in the Northcote area since February, and while there is yet no evidence of larvae, pupae, eggs or female flies, the continued finds indicate that Queensland fruit flies could remain in the area, albeit at very low levels.

Further information, detailed maps of the controlled areas and fruit movement restrictions are at: www.biosecurity.govt.nz/fruitfly

Number of detections Date of detection TypeLife stage / sexLocationDetected byFound within existing Controlled AreaRegulatory actions
1415 July 2019 Single Queensland fruit fly Adult MaleBirkenhead,
North Shore, Auckland
Surveillance trapYes Continuation of controlled area.
1331 May 2019Single Queensland fruit fly Adult male Birkenhead,
North Shore, Auckland
Surveillance trapYes Northcote Controlled Area Notice revoked with new one issued based around Birkenhead’s new A Zone
1210 May
2019
Single Queensland fruit flyAdult MaleNorthcote, North Shore, AucklandSurveillance trapYesExpansion of existing Controlled area and establishment of a new/separate B zone
1125 April 2019Single Queensland fruit flyAdult MaleNorthcote, North Shore, AucklandSurveillance trapYesRe-established Northcote Controlled Area
1014 March 2019Single Queensland fruit flyAdult MaleNorthcote, North Shore, AucklandSurveillance trapYes
910 March 2019Single Queensland fruit flyAdult MaleNorthcote, North Shore, AucklandSurveillance trapYes
85 March 2019Single Facialis fruit flyAdult MaleOtara, South AucklandSurveillance trapYesSecond A zone established within Controlled Area
74 March 2019Single Queensland fruit flyAdult MaleNorthcote, North Shore, AucklandSurveillance trapYes
628 February 2019 Single Queensland fruit flyAdult MaleNorthcote, North Shore, AucklandSurveillance trapYesExtension of the Northcote A zone and Controlled Area
523 February 2019 Single Queensland fruit flyAdult MaleNorthcote, North Shore, AucklandSurveillance trapYes
421 February 2019Single Facialis fruit fly Adult MaleOtara, South AucklandSurveillance trapYes
320 February 2019Single Queensland fruit flyAdult MaleNorthcote, North Shore, AucklandSurveillance trapNorthcote Controlled Area established 20th February
218 February 2019Single Facialis fruit fly (Bactrocera fascialis)Adult MaleOtara, South AucklandSurveillance trapOtara Controlled Area established 19th February
114 February 2019Single Queensland fruit fly (Bactrocera tryoni)Adult MaleDevonport, North Shore, AucklandSurveillance trapDevonport Controlled Area established 15th February

Controlled Area Notices (CAN) have been established in these areas to legally restrict the movement of certain fruits, vegetables and other risk items to prevent any potential spread. Further information can be found on the MPI website: https://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/protection-and-response/responding/alerts/fruit-flies/

Biosecurity New Zealand are underway setting further pheromone traps in the immediate areas surrounding these detections along with inspecting fruit, installing quarantine bins & road signs and distributing awareness information to the public.

At this point there is no indication there is an outbreak of fruit fly or evidence of a breeding population.

Biosecurity New Zealand and industry partners are responding to these detections under the Government Industry Agreement process, GIA. NZ Avocado, like other industry groups, are identifying people within the industry that are able to be travel to Auckland to assist with on-the-ground response operations.

MPI market access teams are in constant communication with international trading partners to assure them that there is no commercial production in these areas and that the response is going as planned.

We will keep you updated of any major developments as these responses progress.

Contact Brad Siebert, Biosecurity Manager at NZ Avocado with any questions brad.siebert@nzavocado.co.nz

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