Biosecurity Advisory 39/2023 - Fruit fly high risk season

Spring and summer are the peak seasons for fruit fly activity on mainland Australia and hence a time of increased risk for Tasmania. With that in mind, Biosecurity Tasmania is asking all Tasmanians to be on the lookout for anything strange they may find in fruit.

Biosecurity Tasmania has strict controls and ongoing statewide surveillance in place, all aimed at reducing the risk of fruit fly getting into Tasmania.

Tell-tale signs of fruit fly to look out for include live larvae or eggs in the flesh of the fruit or small puncture marks on the skin of the fruit. Fruit fly larvae look similar to blowfly maggots and could be found in fruit that you purchased, or from fruit grown in your backyard.

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Fruit flies lay eggs in a wide range of fruits and fruiting vegetables.

Good biosecurity is a shared responsibility. Biosecurity Tasmania works closely with mainland states to help manage the fruit fly risk and over the spring and summer months, there are increased inspections of imported fruit fly host produce at the border. However, while the risk to Tasmania can be lowered with pre-border and border measures, it can never be reduced to zero. Therefore industry, government, and the community are encouraged to remain vigilant and work together to help protect Tasmania.

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Anyone who notices any larvae in fruit is asked to put the fruit in a sealed bag or container place it in the refrigerator and contact Biosecurity Tasmania on 03 6165 3777. Please DO NOT dispose of any fruit that has larvae in it.

More information on fruit fly is at www.nre.tas.gov.au/fruitfly