Calling in the cavalry for fruit fly battle

THE release of sterile fruit flies at Riverland outbreak zones is hoped to prevent the pest from spreading further throughout the region.
Legislative Council Member Nicola Centofanti and Chaffey MP Tim Whetstone last Wednesday attended a PIRSA release of sterile fruit flies in Renmark.
Ms Centofanti said the sterile flies would mate with, and interrupt the mating cycles, of other fruit flies in the region.
“The release of the SIT flies is an exciting and proven technology, and an important part of the State Government’s response to the fruit fly outbreak,” Ms Centofanti said.
“It is one tool, and we’re looking at using a range of tools to overcome the outbreak.”
Outbreaks of Queensland fruit fly were declared at Pike River and Berri on March 17, following previous detections at Monash, Renmark West and Cooltong.
Ms Centofanti said stripping backyard fruit trees – and ensuring no fruit was shared between locals – was necessary to prevent further outbreaks.
“We’re really calling on the community to help us with the outbreak, and in doing so stripping trees of any fruit and making sure there’s no fruit left on the ground,” she said.
“Also ensuring people aren’t moving or sharing home-grown fruit.
“These are important measures we really need the community on board with, so we can ensure the Riverland remains fruit fly free.
“It’s really important at this point in time that we’re not sharing fruit and not moving any home-grown fruit, because that’s where a lot of the risk lies.”
Ms Centofanti said PIRSA would utilise sterile fruit flies – distinguishable by a pink dye on their bodies – at other Riverland outbreak areas.
“We’ll be looking to use them in the long-term at Pike River, as well as Berri,” she said.
Approximately 3.5 million sterile fruit flies were released into Riverland quarantine zones last week.