Oriental fruit fly detection leads to Biosecurity New Zealand taking action

Biosecurity New Zealand has placed legal controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables in the Auckland suburb of Papatoetoe following yesterday's detection of a single male Oriental fruit fly, says Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner North Mike Inglis.

The Oriental fruit fly was found in one of Biosecurity New Zealand's national surveillance traps placed in fruit trees in residential back yards. No other fruit flies have been found in traps in the area.

"Since 1996, we have successfully eradicated 15 fruit fly incursions in Auckland and Northland, with strong support from the community," says Mr Inglis. "This means we have detailed operational plans to guide our work. We're calling on the community's help again with this latest find."

Biosecurity New Zealand staff are busy in the Papatoetoe area laying more traps in addition to the network of national surveillance traps already in the area and giving out information to residents.

"There are now legal controls in place that prohibit the movement of certain whole fruit and vegetables out of a specified controlled area around where the fruit fly was found," says Mr Inglis.