Newsletter item – Fruit Growers Tasmania, 13 January 2023
Keep Tasmania fruit fly free
Biosecurity Tasmania is asking all Tasmanians to be vigilant for anything unusual in fruit, with the spring and summer months being the peak times for fruit fly activity on mainland Australia and a time of increased risk for Tasmania.
Biosecurity Tasmania has strict controls in place to reduce the risk of fruit fly getting into Tasmania, and ongoing statewide surveillance to provide an early warning of a potential incursion. However, they are also asking everybody to remain vigilant for, and report any signs of fruit fly.
Tell-tale signs of fruit fly include live larvae or eggs in the flesh of the fruit or small puncture marks on the skin of the fruit. Fruit fly larvae look similar to blowfly maggots. Fruit flies lay eggs in a wide range of fruits and fruiting vegetables.
Good biosecurity is a shared responsibility. Biosecurity Tasmania works closely with mainland states to help manage the fruit fly risk and there are increased resources and inspections taking place at the border for imported fruit fly host produce. However, the risk to Tasmania can never be zero. Therefore industry, government and the community are encouraged to remain vigilant and work together to help protect Tasmania.
Anyone who notices any larvae in fruit is asked to put the fruit in a sealed bag or container and place it in the refrigerator and contact Biosecurity Tasmania on 03 6165 3777.
Please do not dispose of any fruit that has larvae.
