FOLLOWING fruit fly detections in surveillance traps, a new Qld fruit fly outbreak has been declared in Loxton North.
The Loxton North outbreak restrictions will be in place until November 29.
Separate detections in existing suspension areas have also extended the outbreak end dates in Loxton until November 29, and Pike River West, Pike River and Renmark West until at least November 28, providing no further detections occur.
PIRSA fruit fly response general manager Nick Secomb said as the state hit the peak time for fruit fly detections, extra measures were being deployed to respond to the Riverland fruit fly outbreaks.
"A new outbreak has been declared in Loxton North following the outbreak trigger of five male fruit fly detections in our surveillance traps," Mr Secomb said.
"April is historically the most prevalent time for fruit fly and maggot detections."
For the first time since the Riverland fruit fly outbreaks began, a plane will be deployed to release millions of sterile fruit flies from next week in the latest tactic to fight the pest.
"In addition to the community playing their part, PIRSA will increase response tactics by releasing four million sterile fruit flies from the air each week over Loxton North," Mr Secomb said.
"This is in addition to the millions of sterile flies that continue to be released from the ground as part of existing outbreak response measures.
"We have been releasing sterile fruit flies via vehicle and ground release in the Riverland as part of the eradication program and we are now building on this with aerial release to help reach larger properties with land far away from roads.
"Residents will see the plane, which is white with two propellers and red wing tips, flying over the Loxton North and surrounding areas to release sterile fruit flies."
Pending weather conditions, the plane will appear every week until at least the end of May.
The sterile flies will mate with wild fruit flies and stop them reproducing.
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Mr Secomb said PIRSA staff were in the new 1.5km Loxton North red outbreak area visiting the affected properties and restrictions on the movement of fruit and vegetables at risk from fruit fly were now in place.
"Our teams in orange overalls are contacting residents with information about what to do now they are in a red outbreak area, and will be regularly applying organic bait to suitable foliage in properties as well as checking fruit for signs of fruit fly."
"Search your address on the map on the fruit fly website to check if you're in a red outbreak area and how the movement restrictions affect you.
"If you are in a red outbreak area, please keep your fruit and vegetables on your property and don't share, sell or give them away.
"These actions are an essential tactic, in combination with the work of our field teams, to protect SA's $1.3 billion horticulture industry at risk from fruit fly and the tens of thousands of jobs it represents."
Commercial fruit movement restrictions are in place for Loxton North, as well as the other existing outbreak areas in Loxton, Pike River West, Pike River and Renmark West, where all host material must be treated and certified before leaving an outbreak area.
Growers can contact the industry hotline on 1800 255 556 for further advice and support.
Riverland Fruit Fly Committee chair Jason Size urged all growers and residents to keep orchards and gardens clean.
"As a community, we need to help get rid of fruit fly in the Riverland - it's having a massive effect on our local industries, and if we can't get on top of it, we risk losing local jobs and there will be flow on effects to our economy," he said.
"Please, help prevent fruit fly - keep orchards and gardens clean, and don't leave fruit on the ground to rot.
"Pick it up, put it in your green bin or seal it in a bag and call the Fruit Fly Hotline on 1300 666 010 for advice - don't compost or bury it.
"There are extensive measures in place to ensure growers can maintain market access by keeping the region fruit fly free, but this relies on us, as a community, to prevent opportunities for fruit flies to breed and spread.
"The metropolitan Adelaide fruit fly response recently came to an end with 12 outbreaks eradicated after a two-year successful eradication program.
"We are determined to get there with the Riverland outbreaks and with PIRSA's support, we will achieve successful eradication, but we need everyone to do their bit."
Primary producers affected by the outbreaks can seek free advice and support via the Family and Business Support program.
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