Residents in Alfred Cove and surrounding suburbs are urged to help eradicate an exotic fruit fly by limiting the movement of home grown fruit and vegetables.
The Department of Agriculture and Food is responding to an outbreak of Queensland fruit fly (Qfly), following the detection of six male flies in department surveillance traps.
Qfly is considered Australia’s worst fruit pest, impacting on a range of fruits and some vegetables.
Department senior research officer Darryl Hardie said restrictions on the movement of non-commercial, including home-grown, fruit and vegetables were in force from today (1 December).
A quarantine area has been established which covers all or parts of the suburbs of Alfred Cove, Ardross, Booragoon, Winthrop, Willagee, Myaree, Melville and Attadale.
“To avoid potentially spreading the pest, residents are urged not to move any non-commercial, including home-grown, fruit or vegetables such as tomatoes, chillies or capsicums, out of this quarantine area,” Dr Hardie said.
“Qfly attack a wide range of hosts and it is vital for Western Australia’s horticultural industries, and also for those who wish to continue growing fruit and vegetables in their backyard, that we eradicate this pest.”
“Residents can take a few simple steps to assist by removing ripening fruit and picking up any fallen fruit,” Dr Hardie said.
“The fruit can be disposed of by eating it, cooking it, freezing it or securing it in a sealed plastic bag which is placed in direct sunlight for a period of three days.
“Don’t bury the fallen fruit as Qfly adults can emerge from the soil.”
Under Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Regulations, failure to comply with movement restrictions can result in fines.
The department is conducting additional trapping and surveillance in the area.
Dr Hardie said department officers were visiting properties to carry out inspections and it was vital that residents recognised the importance in allowing officers to carry out this critical work.
Residents are asked to check their fruit for any unusual fruit fly activity, such as larvae, in unexpected fruit and vegetables.
Residents who suspect they have Qfly in their fruit can call the department’s Pest and Disease Information Service on 1800 084 881. Alternatively they can use the department’s MyPestGuide Reporter app to send in a report, available to download for free from the Google Play Store and Apple iTunes Store.
Qfly was previously detected in Perth and successfully eradicated in 1989, 1995 and 2011.
Media contacts: Jodie Thomson/Lisa Bertram, media liaison +61 (0)8 9368 3937