Source: Radio New Zealand
Three more male Oriental fruit flies have been trapped in Papatoetoe. Supplied / Biosecurity NZ
Biosecurity New Zealand is widening its trapping zone in South Auckland after finding three more male Oriental fruit flies.
A single male fly was found in Papatoetoe last week – and on Monday, three more males were trapped in the suburb.
“The finds in our traps, following last week’s detection of a single male fly in the suburb, are not unexpected and shows our enhanced surveillance and inspection is working,” said Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner North Mike Inglis.
Inglis said there was no evidence of a breeding population.
“We continue to bolster our network of traps in the controlled area to ensure good coverage near to each fly detection. The lures we use in the traps are very strong and attract the fly,” he said.
Restrictions on the movement of fruit and vegetables have been in place since Wednesday last week, and Inglis said today’s detections meant the restrictions had been extended.
Signs would go up on roads in the new controlled area to remind locals the restrictions were in place.
A detailed map of the controlled area and a full description of the new boundaries and movement controls is available on the Ministry for Primary Industries’ website.
“We have successfully eradicated fruit fly from New Zealand 15 times, so we have very strong and detailed operational plans to guide our work and that includes a comprehensive trapping and inspection programme,” Inglis said.
Residents in the area where movement restrictions were in place were being asked to put fruit and vegetable waste into bins provided by Biosecurity New Zealand.
“Our people will be continuing their work on the ground, engaging with the local community and sharing information with residents in the newly extended controlled area,”Inglis said.
The Oriental fruit fly did not pose a risk to humans but would hit the horticulture industry if it was allowed to establish in New Zealand.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
