Australia is renowned for growing high quality fruit. Unfortunately we are not the only ones who like to eat it. Various pests like to dine from our table as well, ultimately damaging the fruit and trees we rely on for our food. Queensland Fruit Fly (QFF) is one of these pests and poses a significant biosecurity threat to the fruit growing industry.
QFF is a small red-brown fly with yellow markings. Adults are tiny, only about 8mm long and they tend to hold their wings outstretched and flat when at rest. They also tend to flick and twitch their wings as they move. The average life cycle in summer lasts about 2.5 weeks and the population can soar in wet humid conditions.
QFF is native to eastern Qld and north-eastern NSW but is an agricultural pest as it lays its eggs within ripening fruit, the larvae then feast on the fruit causing it to rot and spoil. QFF is not only a problem for farmers though, they will happily invade any backyard garden with fresh produce on offer. They attack stone fruit, strawberries, apples, capsicum, tomato and apples. Native Lilly Pillys can also provide a host. Without control they can damage up to 100% of a fruit crop. If you grow fruit and vegetables that might be susceptible to QFF you are responsible for its management too. Good garden hygiene such as collecting and disposing of fallen fruit can help keep QFF numbers under control.
It is critical to protect NSW fruit growing regions. A Fruit Fly exclusion zone has been established to protect orchard production. DO NOT take fruit into the fruit Fly exclusion zone. These areas are identified by signs on the roadside.
If you have fruit trees in your garden you can help control fruit flies by:
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pruning your fruit trees regularly making fruit picking easier;
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remove any ripe fruit before it falls to the ground;
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collect any fallen fruit immediately and place in a black plastic bag and leave in the sun for 3-7 days to kill any maggots that may be inside the fruit.
This geocache is one of a series of Pest Watch geocaches focusing on the biosecurity of NSW, developed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI). These geocaches are designed to provide information to the public in an effort to protect the environment of NSW. DPI has a lead role in preventing, responding to and overseeing the recovery from invasion of plant pests and diseases.
Further information on this and other biosecurity threats currently faced by NSW can be found on the DPI Biosecurity website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity. If you find or suspect the presence of QFF in your fruit, immediately report it to DPI via the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. Biosecurity is a shared responsibility.
All images are courtesy of NSW DPI
Cache Details
Cache is a small clip-lock container, safely tucked away near the base of an Ironbark. There is an orchard nearby which helps to demonstrate the importance of keeping QFF out of this area. There is plenty of room to safely pull off the road. Cache has room for some small swaps.