Auckland fruit fly response ramps up

Biosecurity New Zealand is set to ramp up its fruit fly response in the Auckland suburb of Northcote, as the end of winter nears.

Since 26 April, an area of Northcote has been under a Controlled Area Notice, restricting the movement of certain fruits and vegetables out of controlled areas to help prevent the spread of any fruit flies still in the area.

Along with the continued movement restrictions, fruit fly surveillance traps have remained active in the area over winter. The traps have been checked regularly, with the last single male fruit fly detected in the current controlled area on 15 July.

“We won’t be relaxing our efforts until we are absolutely confident we are rid of these flies,” said Biosecurity New Zealand spokesperson Catherine Duthie. “We have found ten flies in the Northcote area since February, and while we still haven’t found any evidence of larvae, pupae, eggs or female flies, the continued finds indicate that Queensland fruit flies could remain in the area, albeit at very low levels.”