Zoning in on pests

Targeting mango-chomping caterpillars

TWO new biosecurity zones have been set up in Cape York following the detection of a pest that poses a major threat to Queensland’s $80 million mango industry.

Biosecurity Queensland inspectors detected red banded mango caterpillars in mangoes intercepted at the Cape York Biosecurity Centre at Coen late last month.

Principal Biosecurity Officer for the Northern Tropics Michael Kelly said it was the first time the pest had been found in fruit in the region in four years.

“Mangoes are generally intercepted at the Cape York Biosecurity Centre every season, however, detection of red banded mango caterpillar in the fruit are less frequent with the last major detection in 2014,” he said.

“The latest detections were in mango being transported from the northern peninsula area by visitors returning from Cape York, who weren’t aware of biosecurity zone quarantine restrictions in the area.”

Red banded mango caterpillars feed on mango flesh as well as the fruit’s seed and they are a major threat to the Far North Queensland and Queensland’s multimilliondollar mango industry.

To protect Cape York, the Torres Strait and the rest of Queensland, the Queensland Government has established two biosecurity zones north of the Cape York Biosecurity Centre to prevent the movement of serious plant and animal pests and diseases that could affect the economy.

Mr Kelly said movement restrictions for mango plants and fruit from these biosecurity zones were in place.

He urged people not to move mangoes out of the Far North Biosecurity Zone 1, preferably no further south than the Jardine River crossing, after visiting the northern peninsula area.

“When travelling south from Cape York people must not move any plant or fruit material from Far North Biosecurity Zone 1, into Far North Biosecurity Zone 2, or out of Zone 2 into the rest of Queensland without a biosecurity permit or certificate,” he siad.

“Fruit and vegetables are best eaten before leaving Cape York, or surrendered to inspectors at the Cape York Biosecurity Centre at Coen.

“Amnesty bins are also located near the roadside, so that plant material can be left at the centre by people travelling through after hours.”