Fruit fly traps set up in backyards across Wagga
More than 25 Wagga Wagga residents have volunteered to have fruit fly traps and release stations set up in their backyards to help with research into one of the worlds worst pests of edible fruit.
Industry & Investment (I&I) NSW research scientist at Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute, Dr Olivia Reynolds, indicated that at present I&I NSW are releasing around three million sterile fruit flies each week around Wagga Wagga for approximately 10 weeks as part of a research program.
"This project is a great example of the community and scientists working together to protect the Riverinas very valuable horticultural industry," Dr Reynolds said.
"Queensland fruit flies can have a devastating effect on our commercial fruit crops including stone, citrus and pome fruit and tomatoes.
"Fruit fly outbreaks cost Australian fruit growers more than $100 million each year in lost income and eradication, so this research trial will be valuable in helping fight these pests in other parts of NSW.
"As part of this program, we will be releasing sterile fruit flies to flood the wild fruit fly population, minimising the possibility of wild fruit flies mating and producing fertile eggs."
Three release techniques will be assessed, including pupal, adult and chilled adult release.
"We will record recapture rates of sterile fruit flies for each release technique as well as local wild fruit fly numbers," Dr Reynolds said.
"Infested fruit will also be collected to determine the sterility of eggs in fruit at each of the three separate release sites.
"The theory is if the technique is working, we should see a decrease in the trap recapture rates of wild flies, and an increase in the ratio of sterile to fertile eggs laid in fruit."
The most effective technique will then be trialled in smaller towns adjoining the fruit fly exclusion zone from January 2010, in an attempt to eradicate fruit fly from those towns, in combination with initial bait sprays.
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Media contact: Sarah Chester on (02) 6036 2110 or 0417 207 669