An outbreak of Mediterranean fruit fly has been declared at Marleston in Adelaide with immediate on-ground biosecurity response measures put in place.
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Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) Executive Director Biosecurity, Nathan Rhodes, said unfortunately fruit fly detections at this time of the year mean outbreak restrictions will now remain in place across metropolitan Adelaide until Saturday 4 December 2021.
"With currently 10 Mediterranean fruit fly outbreaks and one Queensland fruit fly outbreak in metropolitan Adelaide, I implore every resident living within the outbreak area to do the right thing and support our battle against this pest," said Mr Rhodes.
"These restrictions are an essential tactic, in combination with the work of our field teams, to protect South Australia's $1.3 billion horticulture industry at risk from fruit fly and the tens of thousands of jobs it represents.
"By this stage of the year the fruit fly life cycle traditionally slows down significantly for the insect's ‘over-wintering' period, and this presents us with an opportunity to make greater inroads with our eradication program.
"However it does also mean restrictions have to stay in place until at least early December."
The Marleston outbreak takes in some or all of the suburbs of Adelaide Airport, Brooklyn Park, Cowandilla, Hilton, Keswick, Kurralta Park, Marleston, Mile End, Mile End South, Netley, North Plympton, Plympton, Richmond, Torrensville and West Richmond.
"Some residents will already have red outbreak restrictions in place due to the nearby Black Forest outbreak, others will be changing from being in a yellow suspension to a red outbreak area," said Mr Rhodes.
"If you're in these areas please pick from your garden any fruit and vegetables that are at risk from fruit fly. This produce must be removed as soon as possible so it reduces the options for the flies to lay their eggs and reproduce.
"Our teams have been letterboxing residents with information about what to do now they are in a red outbreak area, and will be regularly spraying and baiting plants on residents' properties."
If there are no further wild flies or larvae detected it is anticipated the outbreak areas will remain in place:
• in metropolitan Adelaide for the Mediterranean fruit fly outbreak areas until 4 December 2021
• in Ridleyton for the Queensland fruit fly outbreak area until 14 May 2021.
Without further detections, outbreak areas in the Riverland will remain in place at:
• Monash until 22 March 2021
• Cooltong until 19 May 2021, and
• Renmark West until 19 May 2021. ■