Most unwanted time of the year

Fruit flies and Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) are considered two of the biggest biosecurity threats to the kiwifruit industry and from September they are both in their highest-risk period for entry into New Zealand. A quick reminder of the damage these unwanted pests can do and what to look out for:

Fruit flies:

• High likelihood of entry – have crossed our borders many times.

• Production impacts for a range of horticultural crops but considered low for kiwifruit.

• Severe market access restrictions, particularly for Queensland Fruit Fly, which is not present in most major kiwifruit markets.

• Highly effective surveillance system with around 8000 traps nationwide

BMSB:

• Pierces kiwifruit resulting in fruit drop and rot. Fruit loss is typically 5-10% but up to 30% on worst blocks.

• Extremely difficult to eradicate – early detection is essential.

• Major nuisance pest overwintering inside homes in huge numbers.

• High likelihood of entry as a hitchhiker on shipping containers, cars, machinery, and luggage.

• National surveillance system and kiwifruit industry surveillance system, but this pest is not as strongly attracted to traps, so we also rely on public reporting. Please keep an eye out for this pest especially!

For more information on these and other biosecurity threats to the kiwifruit industry, see our Kiwifruit’s Most Unwanted list on the KVH website and contact us on 0800 665 825 if you would like posters or leaflets about these pests sent out to you.