Industry Update

Queensland Fruit Fly (Qfly) - South Perth Outbreak

Current Status

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) continues to respond to a detection of Queensland fruit fly (Qfly), in the South Perth and Como area, as part of ongoing efforts to eradicate the pest and protect Western Australia’s horticultural industries.

Thanks to the continued support and efforts of businesses and residents in the Quarantine Area, we are now moving into the next stage of the biosecurity response and ceasing field operations. The Quarantine Area zones and associated movement restrictions remain in place and are unchanged.

Field Operations Cease

Significant progress has been achieved in DPIRD’s eradication program, including no recent detections of Qfly. Accordingly, routine visits to properties in the Red Zone to conduct inspections, apply bait and take samples will no longer be required as of Friday 23 October 2026.

Ceasing the application of Qfly bait in the Red Zone is the next stage in the response to the pest so that we can determine whether eradication efforts have been successful. The Qfly trapping network, which includes traps both in the Quarantine Area and across regional Western Australia, will remain in place and continues to be monitored regularly to check for the presence of Qfly.

Quarantine Area Notice Remains in Effect

While field operations have ceased, the Qfly Quarantine Area Notice (QAN) remains in place. Under Australia’s National Fruit Fly Management Protocol, reinstatement of pest area freedom depends on the absence of Qfly adults and larvae in the Quarantine Area.

The QAN is currently in effect until 31 March 2027. However, these restrictions may be lifted earlier if surveillance confirms that Qfly has been successfully eradicated from the area.

Businesses and residents must continue to comply with all requirements of the QAN, including host fruit and vegetable removal, treatment, covering and movement restrictions.

DPIRD compliance officers will continue to conduct inspections each week at Perth Markets, weekend farmers markets, and supermarkets across the Quarantine Area, as well as surveillance at properties in the Red Zone, to ensure compliance with the QAN.

Anyone selling host plants, host fruit or fruiting vegetables in the Red or Orange Zone of the Quarantine Area must continue to:

• Keep host fruit and fruiting vegetables inside buildings or covered with plastic wrap, tarpaulins, hessian, mesh, or other secure coverings to prevent infestation by Qfly.
• Keep host fruit and fruiting vegetables inside fully enclosed vehicles or securely covered during transportation in the Quarantine Area.
• Remove fruit from host plants before passing through or leaving the Quarantine Area.
• Ensure host fruit and fruiting vegetables grown in the Export Assurance Zone have been appropriately treated before being moved outside of the Quarantine Area.

While we understand that keeping produce covered securely at all times can be an inconvenience for some vendors, it is an important measure to support the eradication of the pest.

Other Updates

• Surveillance: DPIRD field teams have conducted 156,870 property visits and collected 2,435 fruit samples for testing.
• Baiting operations: Almost 8,000 properties have been baited and over 9,490 L of Naturalure bait has been applied to street trees.
• Detections: 80 adult Qfly have been detected in traps in the Red Zone.
• Fruit disposal: Over 55 tonnes of excess host fruit has been collected by DPIRD for proper treatment and disposal, helping to break the Qfly lifecycle.
• Community engagement: Community engagement officers have conducted 145 informational pop-up, market stalls and presentations, engaging with 7,500 community members and stakeholders.

Reporting and Information

Suspected Qfly detections, including larvae (maggots) found in fruit, can be reported to the Pest and Disease Information Service on 9368 3080 or via the MyPestGuide® Reporter app.

Up-to-date information is available at: wa.gov.au/qfly

For enquiries or further support, contact: qfly@dpird.wa.gov.au

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Important disclaimer
The Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the State of Western Australia accept no liability whatsoever by reason of negligence or otherwise arising from the use or release of this information or any part of it.

Copyright © State of Western Australia (Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development), 2026