South Australian biosecurity authorities have established a 1.5km (0.93mi) outbreak area for Queensland fruit fly (Q-fly) in the Adelaide suburb of West Hindmarsh, following the detection of a female specimen of the pest with eggs. 

Following the detection on Feb. 8, Biosecurity SA staff commenced an eradication program aimed at eliminating any fruit flies from the outbreak area and nearby surrounds. 

Other suburbs included in the area include Allenby Gardens, Bowden, Brompton, Croydon, Findon, Flinders Park, Hindmarsh, Ridleyton, Thebarton, Torrensville, Underdale, Welland and West Croydon.

Biosecurity SA Executive Director Will Zacharin said the outbreak was the first since 2016 but has no impact on the state's fruit fly-free status.

It is also worth noting the outbreak location is 167km (103mi) away from the state's major fruit production region the Riverina, which was formally recognized by China as fruit fly-free last year. 

"Residents and businesses within the outbreak area will be receiving information from Biosecurity SA about the outbreak and associated quarantine, detailing what part they can play in preventing its spread," Zacharin said.

"An organic bait spotting program will be undertaken with staff also concentrating on the removal of fallen fruit from properties within the affected 200m outbreak zone area.

"Queensland fruit fly doesn't normally exist in South Australia and must have been brought into our state from infested fruit originating from the eastern states."

A 15km (9.3mi) suspension area (see map here) has also been established beyond the outbreak area. Commercial grower within this suspension area can apply treatments under accreditation to move fruit.

Biosecurity SA reports that if no further wild flies or larvae are detected it is anticipated in West Hindmarsh will be lifted from March 12, 2018.

Zacharin said residents and businesses inside the quarantine area could help eliminate fruit fly by practising a few simple measures, including:

• DO NOT give away or move any fruit or fruiting vegetables, including tomatoes, capsicums, chillies and eggplants unless cooked or preserved
• DO NOT leave fruit or fruiting vegetables lying on the ground
• DO NOT compost any fruit or fruiting vegetables, including those purchased from a shop
• DO place all unwanted fruit and vegetables in your green bin for normal collection
• DO report any maggots found in fruit or fruiting vegetables immediately to the Fruit Fly Hotline on 1300 666 010
• DO cook or preserve excess fruit and fruiting vegetables.

Elsewhere in Australia, increased fruit fly populations have been reported in Bendigo, Victoria and Sunraysia, which lies in both Victoria and New South Wales. 

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