Loxton North adds fifth outbreak to tally

CONFIDENCE of controlling local fruit fly incursions remains, despite two outbreaks of the pest being declared in separate Riverland towns within a day. 

PIRSA today announced a fifth fruit fly outbreak at Loxton North – called Loxton North E – following the detection of maggots in a home-grown nectarine. 

 PIRSA general manager of the fruit fly response Nick Secomb said control measures originally applied to the Loxton North outbreak areas were having an ongoing effect. 

“When we identify a fruit fly hotspot, we are able to treat it and eventually get on top of the problem at that site," Mr Secomb said. 

"We have seen this during the series of outbreaks in Loxton North last year which are still tracking well and which shows that we are able to get on top of sites like this with baiting, sterile fly releases and ongoing targeted larvae checks.

“I urge all Riverland residents to pick their ripe home-grown fruit now, to remove the opportunity for fruit fly to sting it and lay eggs.

“We know our fruit fly eradication efforts work so let’s keep an eye on our backyard stone fruit during the summer and stop fruit fly in its tracks.”

Riverland Fruit Fly Committee chair Jason Size advised local growers "all host fruit must be treated and certified before leaving the Loxton North E outbreak area". 

Further information regarding the FaB program is available by visiting the PIRSA website (www.pir.sa.gov.au/funding_and_support/fabm), while information regarding fruit fly outbreaks in the Riverland is available by visiting the State Government website (https://www.fruitfly.sa.gov.au/).