Millions of sterile Mediterranean fruit flies - which will eventually settle in trees and breed with any wild flies to prevent a potential fruit fly outbreak - will be released through February and March above Woodville Gardens and surrounding suburbs.
Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) Plant and Invasive Species Biosecurity Director Nick Secomb said the release was timed for the hottest months when fruit fly risk was highest.
“There are no fruit fly outbreaks in Adelaide and by releasing sterile fruit flies as a preventative strategy we plan to keep it that way,” Mr Secomb said.
“This preventative Sterile Insect Technique release across Adelaide will help make sure we won’t have a fruit fly outbreak affecting Adelaide’s backyards.
“If everyone with a garden picks their fruit promptly, collects fallen fruit off the ground, checks it for signs of fruit fly, and calls the Fruit Fly Hotine on 1300 666 010 if they suspect something, then we’re in a good position to stop any fruit fly breeding.”
PIRSA monitors more than 6000 permanent fruit fly traps across the city which occasionally detect a fruit fly. This sterile fly release is in response to the detection of a single Mediterranean fruit fly in November 2023 in Woodville Gardens.
Adelaide's preventative tactics come as the Riverland continues to battle 48 Queensland fruit fly outbreaks, particularly around the commercial fruit growing regions of Renmark and Berri.
More than one billion sterile fruit flies have been released over the Riverland since 2021 to help combat the outbreaks. The flies are produced at Port Augusta’s Sterile Insect Technology facility, which recently underwent a $3 million expansion.
Restrictions into the Riverland apply with people fined if they are caught travelling into the region with fruit and vegetables. Restrictions related to the outbreaks also apply within the region.
South Australia is the only mainland Australian state that has no established populations of fruit fly – and that ‘fruit fly free’ status has significant benefits for the state’s $1.3 billion horticultural industry at risk from the pest.
For more information about fruit fly and its prevention, visit Fruit fly in South Australia.
