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Fruit fly outbreak declared at Ethelton

Biosecurity SA has declared a fruit fly outbreak at Ethelton in Adelaide’s western suburbs.

The outbreak was confirmed following detection of multiple Mediterranean fruit fly larvae yesterday (Monday) in a peach tree at Russell Street, Ethelton. A 1.5 kilometre quarantine area has been declared around the detection site. The eradication response program will continue for a period after no further “wild” flies or infestations are found, or if weather conditions affect the program.

The quarantine area takes in the suburbs of Ethelton, Birkenhead, Exeter, and Glanville. All residents will shortly receive a leaflet confirming their property is within the quarantine area. Some supplementary fruit fly traps have already been installed.

Biosecurity SA’s Manager Plant and Food Standards, Geoff Raven, said it’s important that all people in this area did not remove fresh fruit, fruiting vegetables or garden waste from their properties, or compost fruit and vegetables, during the eradication program. However, fruit and vegetable waste can be placed in green bins as usual.

Mr Raven said an organic bait spotting program would be undertaken until no further wild fruit flies were detected.

“Home grown fruit and fruiting vegetables can only be removed from the quarantine area if it has been cooked or processed,” he said. “This includes tomatoes, capsicums, chillies, eggplant, stone fruits, pome fruits, citrus, loquats and table grapes. These are potential hosts for the pest and the movement of fruit and vegetables during the quarantine period could start new outbreaks.”

South Australia is fruit fly free and an outbreak is usually sparked by people travelling with maggot-infested, fresh produce from interstate. The current school holiday period spells danger time for fruit fly because of increased travel patterns.

“This is a timely reminder for people not to travel into South Australia with fruit and vegetables. If fruit fly becomes established in South Australia, this could jeopardise markets for our $480 million fresh fruit and vegetable industry,” Mr Raven said.

Householders and property owners in the quarantine zone are asked to provide Biosecurity SA’s fruit fly eradication teams with access to their properties, to check their backyard fruit and vegetables.

Any maggots found in fruit or vegetables can be reported to the 24-hour Fruit Fly Hotline on 1300 666 010.