A FRUIT fly outbreak in the northern suburbs of Adelaide has resulted in an expanded suspension area, with further detections of Mediterranean fruit fly larvae.
The area near Blair Athol included a 1.5-kilometre outbreak area and a 7.5km suspension area, which includes Blair Athol, Broadview, Clearview, Collinswood, Dry Creek, Enfield, Gepps Cross, Greenacres, Kilburn, Manningham, Nailsworth, Prospect, Regency Park, Sefton Park and Wingfield.
People in those suburbs are being urged to check their home-grown fruit for larvae after PIRSA received reports from residents leading to four separate finds of Med-fly larvae in home-grown apricots.
Biosecurity SA acting executive director John Virtue said the expansion of the Blair Athol outbreak area was a timely reminder that biosecurity was everyone's responsibility.
"The public plays a key role in detecting suspect fruit fly, if you notice maggots in your home grown apricots, nectarines, peaches or figs, immediately seal it in an airtight container and call the Fruit Fly Hotline on 1300 666 010," he said.
"Please remember you cannot move home grown fruit and vegetables from within the outbreak area to outside the area, this includes sharing fruit with friends or family members."
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Dr Virtue said this outbreak would not affect the state's fruit fly free status.
"SA is the only Australian mainland state that is fruit fly free, and we want to keep it that way to protect our $1.2 billion fruit fly vulnerable horticulture industry from the destructive plant pest," he said.
PIRSA is progressing its eradication program which includes baiting, picking up fallen fruit and checking traps within both the outbreak area and suspension areas.
If no further detections are made, the Blair Athol quarantine zone will be lifted on April 7.
- Details: pir.sa.gov.au/fruitfly
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