Discovery of male Oriental fruit fly is a concern for growers

The discovery of a male Oriental fruit fly in South Auckland is a concern for growers.

The fruit fly was found in Papatoetoe, as part of Biosecurity New Zealand’s surveillance programme, which involves almost 8,000 traps around the country.

The pest has been located by Biosecurity New Zealand thanks to the extensive network of traps. This means they have been able to respond quickly.

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

Details regarding the restrictions and the exact areas affected will be released in the next 24 hours.

The Oriental fruit fly find in Papatoetoe is unrelated to the Queensland fruit fly that was found in Mt Roskill recently.