Growers praise response to second fruit fly discovery

Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) chief executive Kate Scott says growers will likely be concerned about the discovery in Birkdale on Auckland’s North Shore.

“Growers will be concerned, as the Oriental fruit fly poses a significant risk to horticulture, with its larvae capable of feeding on more than 300 types of fruit and vegetables,” Scott told Rural News. “Home gardeners would also be affected.”

Scott says New Zealand has strong biosecurity measures in place and the quick response to the detection of this fruit fly proves the system is working.

“Vigilance, surveillance, and containment efforts remain essential to protecting the horticulture sector,” she says.

“Protecting New Zealand’s horticulture sector from biosecurity threats like the fruit fly is critical to our economy and our reputation for producing high-quality fruit and vegetables.”

Late last month, the fruit fly was discovered in a suburban backyard. It followed a similar discovery in Papatoetoe in January.

However, Mike Inglis, Biosecurity New Zealand’s commissioner, north, says that genetic testing has confirmed that – despite being the same species – these are not linked.

It’s not the first time New Zealand has experienced multiple detections like this. Back in 2019, Biosecurity New Zealand responded to fruit fly detections in three Auckland suburbs.

Upon the detection of the fruit fly, trapping in the Birkdale area increased with daily checks in the 200-metre zone surrounding the location of the original find.

Checks are also being performed in the three days in a second zone which stretches to 1,500 metres surrounding the location of the original find.

Legal controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables in Birkdale and nearby suburbs have also been put in place.

“Biosecurity New Zealand thanks the local community in Birkdale and neighbouring areas for their efforts to date and their support of the important work underway,” Inglis says.

“There has been a really positive response from local businesses and residents to the rules around the movement of fruit and vegetables,” he adds.

This marks the fourteenth fruit fly incursion in New Zealand, all of which have been eradicated so far, says MPI.

To report suspected finds of fruit fly, call MPI’s Pest and Diseases Hotline on 0800 80 99 66.