EDITION 1 | January/February 2024
Stuart Burgess
Manager, National Fruit Fly Council
Message from the Manager
Welcome to our first edition of 2024. We have been busy following the National Fruit Fly Symposium last year, processing the fantastic input from those who participated, as well as continuing to build on the long-term work of so many who have enabled the horticulture sector to grow and develop particularly into phytosanitary export markets. The NFFC remains focused on ensuring Australia has a robust fruit fly management system that supports growth in horticultural production, market access and trade.
Expression of Interest to join the National Fruit Fly Council
The NFFC is seeking expressions of interest to join the Council to provide leadership and advice on strategic policy and RD&E issues about fruit fly to a range of stakeholders. Applications are due by close of business on Thursday, 29 February 2024.
NFFC develops industry-specific fruit fly management primers
Managing fruit fly is a complex process that requires long-term activity to increase the general understanding of fruit fly management. The NFFC has developed a set of primers tailored for major fruit fly affected industries that provide an overview on fruit fly management techniques and cover key pest species, and general life cycle information.
NFFC releases guide on Sterile Insect Technique (SIT)
The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is a pest control method in which large numbers of a target pest insect species are grown, sterilised, and released into an area. The NFFC SIT guide provides more detailed information on SIT, including some of the benefits and challenges it faces, as well as opportunities for the future.
Fruit fly workshop with NSW Local Land Service
The NFFC attended a fruit fly workshop hosted by the Greater Sydney Local Land Service (LLS) at the Somersby NSW DPI Research Station in the latter half of 2023. Senior Land Services Officer Kim Whelan, and fruit fly entomologist Andrew Jessup led the workshop that discussed types of fruit fly, identification, susceptible hosts fruits, monitoring, and control techniques.
Dimethoate post-harvest suspension
Following public consultation, Australia’s chemical regulator, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), suspended the registration and labels of chemical products containing dimethoate in September 2023. The dimethoate suspension applies to use as a post-harvest dip for fruit with inedible peel such as mangoes and avocados.
Mangoes and avocados were dipped or sprayed with the insecticide to control Queensland fruit fly, a native pest in eastern and northern Australia.
In science
Female–female aggression in Bactrocera tryoni (Diptera: Tephritidae) and the influence of fruit quality on combat intensity
Bianca J. Kay, Anthony R. Clarke
Gene drive and genetic sex conversion in the global agricultural pest Ceratitis capitata
Angela Meccariello, Shibo Hou, Serafima Davydova, James Fawcett, Alexandra Siddall, Philip T. Leftwich, Flavia Krsticevic, Philippos Aris Papathanos, Nikolai Windbichler
Preparation of long-lasting releasing methyl eugenol fiber membrane and its trapping analysis on
Bactrocera dorsalis
Yinjie Qian, Junjie Zhang, Yanxue Yu, Qiushi Jiang, Bin Yan, Xinlong Song, Xiaobin Yu, Zhiqiang Cheng
Do you have a journal article on fruit fly related research available to share? If so, then please let us know via fruitfly@phau.com.au so we can promote your article. We are keen to share with the fruit fly community the latest fruit fly research from not only Australia but from across the globe and covering a range of diverse research topics associated with fruit flies.
In the media
Queensland fruit fly outbreak summary January 2024
One new Queensland fruit fly outbreak has been declared in Loveday and two outbreak area boundaries have been extended in the Riverland, South Australia since Tuesday, 2 January 2024.
SITplus Initiative positions Australia for effective Queensland fruit fly suppression
Recent research from large-scale aerial release trials in Cobram, Victoria, shows a successful suppression of Queensland fruit fly numbers over three consecutive seasons.
One billion sterile fruit flies released over the Riverland
One billion sterile fruit flies have now been released over the Riverland to combat outbreaks in the region following a recent expansion at Port Augusta’s Sterile Insect Technology (SIT) facility.
Queensland fruit fly found in Warrandyte, VIC
Following a resurgence of Queensland fruit fly in Warrandyte and the Yarra Valley, it is important to identify and destroy this harmful pest.
APVMA releases chlorpyrifos proposed regulatory decision
The APVMA has released its proposed regulatory decision on the reconsideration of chlorpyrifos, an insecticide used for the control of pests in various agricultural, horticultural, commercial, and veterinary situations. Public consultation is open until Monday, 11 March 2024.
Keep unwanted BBQ pests away this summer
Agriculture Victoria’s Statewide Fruit Fly Coordinator Cathy Mansfield is urging Victorian home gardeners to take extra steps this summer to protect their produce from Queensland fruit fly.
Fruit Fly ID
Anastrepha obliqua (West Indian
fruit fly)
The West Indian fruit fly, Anastrepha obliqua, occurs throughout the Caribbean, and further south to southern Brazil. It is a major pest of mangoes in most tropical countries, making the production of some varieties unprofitable. The adult is a medium sized yellow-brown fly, with a 5.85–7.5 mm long wing, and yellow-brown bands.
