Impact of Queensland fruit fly

Fruit flies are a significant phytosanitary threat to horticulture. They can have major impacts on Australia’s capacity to trade competitively in international markets. Effectively managing Queensland fruit fly ensures producers can develop, maintain and enhance access into domestic and international markets.

Queensland fruit fly (QFF) is a pest that requires everyone to be involved in controlling the insect and restricting its spread. The main way that QFF spreads to new areas is by being carried in infested host fruit and vegetables.

Host list

QFF has the potential to infest a wide range of horticultural crops, garden plants, native plants and weeds.

QFF host fruit cannot be transported into the New South Wales Fruit Fly Exclusion Zone (FFEZ), the Pest Free Area (PFA) or cross State borders unless the consignment is accompanied by industry certification arrangement or a permit issued by a State authority.

About the insect

QFF is different from the small dark brown drosophila flies (also called vinegar flies or ferment flies) that hang around ripe and decaying fruit. Drosophila flies are not agricultural pests but can be a nuisance where fruit and vegetables are stored.

QFF is native to eastern Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales. The ready availability of suitable hosts and habitat in urban and horticultural production areas in Queensland, Northern Territory, New South Wales and Victoria has enabled QFF to expand its natural range.

The Primefact 1186 Queensland Fruit Fly gives further details of the insect.

Current Situation

QFF is dependant on rainfall and moisture. In semi drought or low rainfall situations QFF is less likely to establish and can be controlled more easily than in high rainfall areas or when seasonal conditions are wetter.  

For more information, a map and current QFF outbreaks in the FFEZ.

Fruit Fly Exclusion Zone (FFEZ) and Pest Free Area (PFA)

Fruit and vegetable growing regions in designated areas in southern inland New South Wales, northern Victoria and South Australia are managed by the three states as the Fruit Fly Exclusion Zone (FFEZ) and the Greater Sunraysia Pest Free Area (PFA).

Host fruit or vegetables without a certificate or permit including host fruit and vegetables for household or personal consumption must be disposed of in quarantine bins before entering the FFEZ, PFA or crossing a State border. The location of roadside disposal bins is signposted.

QFF Resources

• Primefact 1186 Queensland Fruit Fly
• Primefact 1187 Queensland Fruit Fly and the home gardener
• Primefact 1188 Queensland Fruit Fly: control strategies for the home gardener
• Primefact 752 Managing Queensland fruit fly in citrus
• QFF Season calendar of backyard jobs (323KB PDF)
  
• QFF Backyard jobs for spring (147KB PDF)
• QFF Backyard jobs for summer (197KB PDF)
• QFF Backyard jobs for autumn (191KB PDF)
• QFF Backyard jobs for winter (172KB PDF)

Links

• Fruit Fly and the Home Garden – Advice for gardeners in Australia
  
• Victoria Department of Primary Industries – Queensland Fruit Fly
  
• Biosecurity South Australia: Plant Health – Fruit Fly
  
• Plant Health Australia (2011) The Australian Handbook for the Identification of Fruit Flies Version 1.0