Second Queensland fruit fly detected in surveillance trap in Northcote

The detection was in what is known as Zone A in Northcote and was 113 metres from the original detection there.

A second Queensland fruit fly has been found in a surveillance trap in the Auckland suburb of Northcote.

The detection was in what is known as Zone A in Northcote and was 113 metres from the original detection there.

A significant trapping programme has been in operation on Auckland's North Shore since the detection of a single male Queensland fruit fly in Devonport on 14 February.

All traps on the North Shore have been checked. Those traps in Zone A are checked daily for the first 7 days after the find.

"This latest detection is further evidence that our surveillance programme is working and it is pleasing we still have no indication of an established breeding population," says Biosecurity New Zealand spokesperson, Dr Catherine Duthie

"Our trapping and surveillance have been enhanced and this programme will find any further flies in the area."

140 Biosecurity New Zealand staff, contractors and industry partners are working on the response.

In addition to the trapping, Biosecurity New Zealand staff are collecting fruit from backyards in Zone A and checking this for larvae. More than 300 kilograms of fruit has been inspected in our mobile laboratory with no detections to date.

As the movement of fruit and vegetables from Zones A and B is restricted, staff and contractors are continuing to collect disposal bins for processing. Nearly three tonnes of fruit and vegetable waste has been collected from the three suburbs affected. This is the normal amount of fruit and vegetable waste in these areas. Instead of putting waste in rubbish bins to be disposed of normally, the waste is being put into the special response bins for Biosecurity New Zealand to dispose of securely.

At the weekend, Biosecurity had a strong presence at the Otara Market, supported by community leaders, educating the public about the facialis fruit fly found in the suburb.

"The response and support from the public there was amazing, as it has been in Devonport and Northcote too," says Dr Duthie. "This is critical as we need the whole community to pull together on this type of biosecurity response."

Rob Delane, the independent reviewer engaged to head an assurance review of the air passenger, cruise and mail pathways commenced his work today.

If you find larvae inside the fruit, or believe you have seen a fruit fly, keep hold of it and call 0800 80 99 66.