A biosecurity operation is under way in Papatoetoe in South Auckland following the discovery of a single male Oriental fruit fly in a surveillance trap, says Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner North Mike Inglis. 

“The fruit fly was identified this evening as part of Biosecurity New Zealand’s national surveillance programme, which involves almost 8,000 traps around the country,” Mr Inglis says. 

"We have located this pest thanks to our extensive network of traps. Because of this, we know where the problem is and we can respond quickly and effectively. 

“Since 1996, we have successfully eradicated 15 incursions of different fruit fly in Auckland and Northland. 

“These have all have been eradicated thanks to the work of Biosecurity New Zealand, our horticulture partners, and local communities who have stepped up to help. 

“The most recent eradication was a single male Queensland fruit fly in Mt Roskill, which wrapped up last week after six weeks of intensive fruit fly trapping and the inspection of more than 230 kilograms of fruit. 

“The Oriental fruit fly find in Papatoetoe is unrelated to the Queensland fruit fly in Mt Roskill. 

"We will be ramping up trapping and inspections in Papatoetoe. As a precautionary measure, Biosecurity New Zealand will put in place legal restrictions on the movement of fruit and vegetables out of the area where the fruit fly has been found. 

"Over the next 24 hours, we will issue details about these controls and the exact areas affected. 

“In the meantime, it’s important that people who live and work in the suburb not take any whole fresh fruit and vegetables out of their property." 

Mr Inglis says biosecurity staff will be out tomorrow providing the local community with information. 

"You may notice our staff carrying out inspections and trapping in the neighbourhood,” Mr Inglis says. 

In addition to the field work, Biosecurity New Zealand is working closely with Government Industry Agreement (GIA) partners in the horticultural industry to minimise the risk to New Zealand growers and exporters. 

The fruit fly poses no human health risk, but there would be an economic cost to the horticulture industry if it were allowed to establish here. 

Mr Inglis says Biosecurity New Zealand has among the strictest controls in the world for the importation of fruit and checks at the border. The most likely way that fruit flies can arrive in New Zealand is on fresh fruit and vegetables. 

To report suspected finds of fruit fly, call MPI’s Pest and Diseases Hotline on 0800 80 99 66. 

Background – Oriental fruit fly 

The Oriental fruit fly is native to Asia but has now spread to many warmer countries, especially as the climate warms. 

Adult flies lay eggs into fruit. The young stages (maggots) feed inside the fruit, causing it to rot and become unmarketable. 

Oriental fruit fly maggots can feed on 300 different fruit and vegetables. The fly's favourite hosts are apple, guava, mango, peach, and pear. 

How to identify the fly 

Adult flies:

• are a little larger than a housefly (6mm to 8mm long)
• have a dark "T" shaped marking on the abdomen (the part behind the waist)
• usually have a bright yellow and orange abdomen (but can vary)
• have clear wings.

The female fly has a pointed “sting” to lay eggs inside fruit (but she can't sting or bite people). The male fruit fly is a similar size but is reddish-brown. 

If you think you've found the fruit fly:

• photograph it
• capture it (if you can)
• call MPI on 0800 80 99 66

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