More fruit f lies but crisis still not suspected

A third Queensland fruit fly has been found on Auckland’s North Shore following discoveries in Devonport and Northcote in the last two weeks.

The fruit fly was found in a surveillance trap in an area known as Zone A, 113 metres from where the second fruit fly was found in Northcote on Thursday, the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) said in a statement.

MPI officials have been operating a significant trapping programme in the area since a single male Queensland fruit fly was found in Devonport on February 14.

All three were male. Two facialis fruit flies have been found in the South Auckland suburb of O¯ tara. Biosecurity New Zealand liaison manager Andrew Sander previously told Stuff it was entirely coincidental.

The latest detection was further assurance that Biosecurity NZ’s surveillance programme is working, spokeswoman Dr Catherine Duthie said. ‘‘It is pleasing we still have no indication of an established breeding population,’’ she said.

‘‘Our trapping and surveillance has been enhanced and this programme will find any further flies in the area.’’ One hundred and forty Biosecurity NZ staff, contractors and industry partners are working on the response. In addition to surveillance trapping, fruit is being collected from backyards in Zone A and checks are being made for larvae. So far, more than 300 kilograms have been inspected in a mobile laboratory, with no detections.

Devonport, O¯ tara and Northcote residents are advised not to take fruit and vegetables outside of Zone A. Biosecurity NZ special response bins have collected nearly three tonnes of fruit and vegetable waste to be securely disposed of. MPI said this was a normal amount of waste for the areas.

Biosecurity NZ¯ representatives attended the Otara Market over the weekend to educate residents about the facialis fruit fly. Duthie said the support from the public has been amazing, as it has been in Devonport and Northcote also.

‘‘This is critical as we need the whole community to pull together on this type of biosecurity response.’’

If no more fruit flies are found, the operations in each area are expected to end after 14 days. Anyone who finds a fruit fly or larvae is encouraged to keep hold of it and call 0800 80 99 66.