Supporting local horticulture industries to produce fruit fly-free, marketable fruit and vegetables.
Queensland fruit fly is an established pest found in Victoria that poses a threat to the horticultural industry and home gardens if not properly managed. Queensland fruit fly attacks a wide range of fruits and fruiting vegetables, leaving them inedible.
There are more than 4000 fruit fly species across the world, of which 350 are of economic importance. More than 50 exotic and
established fruit fly species are of potential economic significance or quarantine concern to Victoria. However, Queensland fruit fly (Bactrocera tryoni) and Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitate) are the species of primary economic concern.
Qfly is now an established pest in Victoria and is widely distributed across the greater Sunraysia region (Figure 2). Victoria remains free from Medfly, despite its presence elsewhere in Australia.
Fruit flies have the potential to impact a broad range of horticultural crops. Greater Sunraysia's key commercial horticultural crops that dominate the export market, including stone fruit, citrus and table grapes, are impacted by fruit fly. Other crops that may be impacted in high pressure years include dried fruit, olives, wine grapes, avocados and vegetables.
Fruit flies also have the potential to impact a broad range of fruit and vegetables grown in home gardens throughout the region.
Exciting events to attend in August
- Sunraysia Farmers Market - Celebrating National Tree Day - 6 August 2022
- Information Day - Bunnings Mildura - 21 August 2022
Learn to live with Queensland fruit fly
Become a fruit fly fighter
Grow your own beautiful fruit again with the support of Fruit Fly Murray Valley.
Our Fruit Fly Fighter Program will show you how to protect your trees from Qfly this year – and it's free to join for home gardeners in our region.
• One-on-one coaching
• Resources (traps and nets)
• Tree removal (optional)
• Monthly check-ins
• Access to technical experts and a community of like-minded people
The best defence against Queensland fruit fly is an insect net
Creating a physical barrier between flies and your fruit with a fine meshed net is simplest way of growing clean fruit. Follow these tips to ensure success:
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Purchase fine mesh insect nets from gardening or hardware stores
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Prune your fruit trees to less than 2m
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Cover the whole tree with a net as soon as fruit sets
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Tie it around the trunk with no gaps
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Thin fruit if needed and remove any fruit up against the net
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After harvest, repair any holes, move to a late-season tree or pack away for next season
Tree removal provides a permanent solutions
The greater Sunraysia Pest Free Area has assisted the community to removed over 9,000 Queensland fruit fly host trees since 2016.
If you live in town or on a residential block in rural areas in the Victoria section of the Greater Sunraysia Pest Free Area and would like your details included on a waiting list please call (03) 50 220 327 or email fruitflymv@mildura.vic.gov.au
Investigating Bait Spraying to Control Queensland Fruit Fly
Bait spraying is by far the most effective way of managing Queensland Fruit Fly populations. The bait has an attractant in it, so you just put out tiny amounts and the flies actually come and find it.
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Contact us
*Conditions apply
We are committed to assisting you with managing Queensland fruit fly. For advice and tips to help you in your garden, please contact us.