Activities are under way and extra field teams are today in Papatoetoe, Auckland, after the find of a single male Oriental fruit fly in a suburban backyard surveillance trap.

Biosecurity New Zealand has confirmed checks of the other 187 traps in the Papatoetoe/Mangere area did not find any fruit flies in them, however, previous experience with the successful eradication of several different types of fruit fly is that other insects might be found, so it is important we move quickly.

Trapping and testing are being ramped up, with daily checks in a 200m zone from the original find and three daily testing in a second zone out to 1500m.

There have been 12 incursions of different fruit fly in Auckland and Northland since 1996 and all have been successfully eradicated, thanks to the combined efforts of Biosecurity New Zealand, horticulture partners including KVH, and local communities.

KVH is working closely with Biosecurity New Zealand and other horticultural Government Industry Agreement (GIA) partners on these actions to minimise the risk to kiwifruit growers.

The main points for kiwifruit growers to note at this stage are:

• There are field teams out in the area checking properties and setting traps to attract any fruit flies that may be in the area. The aim is to find any population present and eradicate it.

• The Oriental fruit fly is a serious horticultural pest. It feeds on and spoils a wide range of fruit and vegetables.

• It is important that we understand as soon as possible if the insect is a solitary find or if there is a bigger breeding population in Papatoetoe.

• Until we issue further information, if you live or work in Papatoetoe, do not take any whole fresh fruit and vegetables out of your property.

• Home and business owners around the location will be receiving information shortly from Biosecurity New Zealand about what actions to take.

• More instructions, including a map of the affected zones and details of the requirements for each zone, will be issued once the initial investigation is completed.

• New Zealand’s biosecurity surveillance traps do a good job of locating any fruit flies in the area. However, if you find larvae in fruit from your garden (they look like small grains of rice), report it to us on 0800 665 825 or call Biosecurity New Zealand on 0800 80 99 66.

• This find shows the effectiveness of our surveillance trapping system – there are more than 7,800 traps set nationwide and checked regularly. These enable us to find fruit flies early and enable a faster and more effective response if finds are made.

• Read more about Oriental fruit flies here – including images.
• Read more about the detection and response activities on the Biosecurity New Zealand website here.