The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is responding to the detection of a single Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) in Fremantle.
Department senior research officer Darryl Hardie said an adult female fly was found last week in a trap which forms part of the State’s early warning trapping system for the fruit pest.
“Qfly is a destructive fruit pest, attacking a range of fruits and some vegetables,” Dr Hardie said.
“Qfly is found in some other parts of Australia but Western Australia is considered free of the pest.
“The department operates a trapping grid in Western Australia which provides an early warning system against this pest.
“The department is conducting regular surveillance in the area, and has installed additional traps, to determine whether there are other flies. We will be working closely with the WA fruit and vegetable industries in response to this detection.”
Incursions of Qfly have been eradicated from Perth four times since the 1980s, most recently in 2016 in Alfred Cove.
Dr Hardie said further measures such as baiting with an organic pesticide were being considered, and further advice would be provided to industry and the local community as more information became available.
More information on Qfly is available on the department website agric.wa.gov.au
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