Dates: 31st Mar - 3rd Apr 2020 Venue: Macquarie University, North Ryde

RSVP: Please contact Maurizio at maurizio.benelli@mq.edu.au

The Fruit Fly ITTC Biosecurity Innovation will be hosting a an upcoming R&D Meeting, supported by RAAP. The week will comprise o

Anne GrocholskyDirector, Commercialisation and Innocation

Macquarie Univeristy, Sydney, AustraliaDr Kumaran Nagalingam Research Scientist CSIRO, Ecosciences Precint, Dutton Park, QLD, AustraliaDr Kye-Chung Park Senior Scientist The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Aukland, NZDr Wei Xu Senior Lecturer School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Western Australia, Australia

This initiative is funded by the Research Attraction and Acceleration Program (RAAP) fund of the Fruit Fly ITTC Biosecurity Innovation

Almost a year has gone by since the first discovery of a Q-fly in a trap in February 2019. Today Biosecurity New Zealand has announced that the Northcote fruit fly operations and movement restrictions of fruit and vegetables on Auckland's North Shore has ended.

It has been 6 months since a fly was was found in the area.

Timeline of single male Queensland fruit fly discoveries in Northcote NZ, 2019;

20th Feb - First discovery of a single male Queensland fruit fly

23rd Feb - Second discovery

28th Feb – Third discovery, 270 metres from where the last was found

4th Mar – Fourth discovery, approximately 80 metres from where the last was found

10th Mar – Fifth discovery, 60 metres from where the last was found

14th Mar - Sixth discovery, 650 metres south of the original find

25th Apr - Seventh discovery, 460 metres away from the area the first six where discovered

10th May - Eighth discovery, 1.6 kilometres away from where the last fly was found

This work is based on/includes MPI data which is licensed by Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for re-use under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.

"A recent study, conducted by Macquarie University through the Hort Innovation-driven SITPlus initiative, has revealed that male Queensland Fruit Flies (Q-fly) reach sexual maturation faster after consuming caffeine supplements, partially d

ue to a rapid increase in reproductive organ size.

Researchers also found that caffeine fed Q-flies become sexually active in 6-8 days while normal Q-flies take 10-12 days. The flies were also keen to mate for a longer period before losing interest.

Researcher Saleh Mohammad Adnan said the finding has the potential to make sterile insect technique (SIT) that focusses on QLD Fruit Flies even more effective."

Saleh Adnan is a Fruit Fly ITTC affiliated postgraduate based at Macquarie University. He has recently submitted his PhD titled 'Dietary methoprene and yeast hydrolysate as pre-release supplements for Q-fly SIT'

Quarantine restrictions were lifted on the 20th January 2020 due to the successful eradication of Queensland fruit fly.

The outbreak was declared in May 2019. In response an eradication program commenced, which included baiting, hygiene operations and the release of sterile fruit flies within the 1.5km outbreak area.

While Lindsay Point is in Victoria, it forms part of the South Australian Riverland Pest Free Area. With the lifting of the quarantine, Riverland citrus growers within the suspension area can now resume access to domestic markets without the requirement of additional treatments. Restoring market access with international markets is also in progress, with the aim to have export arrangements back in place as soon as possible.

Restrictions still apply for people bringing fruit, vegetables and other plant products into South Australia. A zero tolerance approach is also in place at random quarantine roadblock operations in South Australia. Make sure you visit the PIRSA website here for more information.

On the 4th November 2019 a freak hail storm hit Bermera, Monash, Glossop and Renmark in South Australia. In less than half an hour it caused a extensive damage to farms in those areas, affecting around 130 million growers.

This of course has caused a huge financial loss, but also the fear of another potential fruit fly outbreak, due to the large amount of damaged fruit left on the ground.

The Riverland is currently international recognised as being fee of fruit fly.

1 in 5 Victorian drivers that were pulled over an a random roadblock at Bordertown, South Australia, on the 3rd and 4th October were caught bringing prohibited fruit into South Australia. There were permanent and electronic signs in place warning motorists of the law.

The random roadblocks complement the State Government’s zero-tolerance approach at Yamba Quarantine Station in protecting South Australia’s $1.2 billion industry which relies on our fruit fly pest-free status to market their quality produce.

Millions of sterile Queensland Fruit Flies will be released over trial sites in New South Wales and Victoria this week, in an effort to stop the spread of this horticultural pest. This follows the successful release of sterile flies in South Australia recently.

Funding partners include Hort Innovation—through levies and matching Australian Government funding—Macquarie University, Western Sydney University, the South Australian, Victorian, Tasmanian and NSW Governments, the CSIRO, and Plant & Food Research, and a range of horticulture levy-paying industries.

Image supplied by Md Jamil Hossain Biswas

The Victorian Regional Achievement and Community Awards started in 2002 to encourage, acknowledge and reward the valuable contributions that individuals, communities and businesses make throughout regional and rural Victoria.

The Goulburn Murray Valley (GMV) Regional Fruit Fly Project has been named a finalist in the category of Prime Super Agricultural Innovation Award for 2019. Spreading the message "No Flies On Us', the GMV Regional Fruit Fly Project recognises that to prevent the spread of Queensland Fruit Fly the community, industry and government need to work together. By helping facilitate this they have managed to increase community awareness and area wide management.

We wish them luck for the finals that will take place on the 11th October this year.

The latest issue of the Prevent Fruit Fly Newsletter, published by Plant Health Australia has been released. This newsletter provides news about the National Fruit Fly Council and fruit flies in Australia. To read this newsletter, and to subscribe to receive future issues, view their website here.

An outbreak of Queensland fruit fly has been declared on 21st May 2019 at Lindsay Point in Victoria.

Area of where a gravid female was detected is near the junction of the South Australian, Victorian and New South Wales borders, and is part of the SA Riverland Pest Free Area (PFA).

The quarantine and suspension areas at Lindsay Point will be in place until at least the 22nd December 2019, unless further wild flies or larvae are detected.

Last Friday, 10th May, another Queensland fruit fly was found in the current Northcote controlled area. This discovery brings the total to eight, since the 20th February this year.

Despite this eighth find in the area, Biosecurity New Zealand states that it does not mean that there is a breeding population.

In response to the new find, there has been an expansion of the B Zone in Northcote and put in place a new A Zone surrounding the area around the new detection by 200m. Fallen fruit will still be removed, and bait will be placed on fruit trees.

Detailed maps of the controlled areas and a full description of the boundaries, and full information about the rules are at:

Timeline of single male Queensland fruit fly discoveries in Northcote NZ, 2019;

20th Feb - First discovery of a single male Queensland fruit fly

23rd Feb - Second discovery

28th Feb – Third discovery, 270 metres from where the last was found

4th Mar – Fourth discovery, approximately 80 metres from where the last was found

10th Mar – Fifth discovery, 60 metres from where the last was found

14th Mar - Sixth discovery, 650 metres south of the original find

25th Apr - Seventh discovery, 460 metres away from the area the first six where discovered

10th May - Eighth discovery, 1.6 kilometres away from where the last fly was found

Image credit to Biosecurity New Zealand

This work is based on/includes MPI data which is licensed by Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for re-use under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.

Port Augusta's National Sterile Insect Technology facility now has a second x-ray irradiation machine, meaning they will now be able to produce up to 50 million sterile fruit flies a week.

This will increase the production of sterile Queensland fruit flies, which are then released in areas where a fruit fly outbreak has been declared, aiming to reduce the population of wild fruit flies. A recent example of this is the SIT flies that were released at Loxton to eradicate the outbreak there.

Quarantine restrictions that were in place since December 2018 due to a Queensland fruit fly outbreak were lifted on the 30th April. This is a result of a successful eradication program which included the use of Sterile Insect Technology (SIT) and zero tolerance at roadside inspections.

Loxton is located in the Riverland region of South Australia, a region that produces seasonal fruit and vegetables. Prior to the outbreak this area maintained a pest-free status. Lifting the quarantine is great news for growers in the area as it means that access to the domestic market will resume, however the international market access will take a bit longer.

Restrictions still apply to bringing fruit and vegetables into the Riverland Fruit Fly Exclusion Zone.

Story credit: Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA, the Government of South Australia, Fruit Flies Eradicated as Loxton Quarantine Lifted, Sourced on 01/05/2019, https://www.pir.sa.gov.au/alerts_news_events/news/biosecurity/fruit_fly/fruit_flies_eradicated_as_loxton_quarantine_lifted

Photo credit: NSW Department of Primary Industries

A single male fruit fly has been found in Auckland, the seventh discovery in the area since 20th February this year. The latest find is an elderly fly, suggesting that it may be from the same cohort as the earlier discoveries. There is no evidence of a breeding population.

The Controlled Area Notice for Northcote has now been reinstated (it was lifted on the 12th April when no further Queensland fruit flies were discovered since the 14th March). Enhanced trapping continues as a precautionary measure.

Timeline of single male Queensland fruit fly discoveries in Northcote 2019;

20th Feb - First discovery of a single male Queensland fruit fly23rd Feb - Second discovery28th Feb – Third discovery, 270 metres from where the last was found4th Mar – Fourth discovery, approximately 80 metres from where the last was found10th Mar – Fifth discovery, 60 metres from where the last was found14th Mar - Sixth discovery, 650 metres south of the original find25th Apr - Seventh discovery, 460 metres away from the area the first six where discovered

For more information please visit the Biosecurity New Zealand website here.

Image credit to Biosecurity New Zealand

This work is based on/includes MPI data which is licensed by Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for re-use under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.

Fruit fly larvae have been stopped from entering New Zealand, by Biosecurity New Zealand on Monday. Officials found four "live" spotted wing drosophilalarvae on a single orange imported from the United States.

Reacting to this discovery, US citrus imports have temporarily been put on hold until a suitable treatment has been decided.

From now until the end of May millions of sterile Queensland fruit flies will be released every week above the Victorian town of Cobram, with the hope that the sterile males will reduce reproduction in the wild-population, and therefore reduce the fruit fly population and prevent further spread into the surrounding areas.

This release is part of the Hort Innovation project, Sterile Insect Technique Plus (SITPlus) Program, led by Macquarie University in collaboration with SARDI, Agriculture Victoria, NSW DPI, and Plant and Food Research.

Two more male Queensland fruit fly have been discovered in Northcote in the last 5 days. This brings the total discoveries since the 20th February to six.

Timeline of single male Queensland fruit fly discoveries in Northcote 2019;

20th Feb - First discovery of a single male Queensland fruit fly23rd Feb - Second discovery28th Feb – Third discovery, 270 metres from where the last was found4th Mar – Fourth discovery, approximately 80 metres from where the last was found10th Mar – Fifth discovery, 60 metres from where the last was found14th Mar - Sixth discovery, 650 metres south of the original find

In response, there will be an expansion of Zone A and further restrictions on the movement of fruit, vegetables and green waste. Bait will also be placed on fruit trees to attract and kill adult flies.

Although there have been no further finds of Queensland fruit fly in Devonport since a single male was discovered on the 14th February, because of its close proximity to Northcote, restrictions and trapping there will continue.

For more information please visit the Biosecurity New Zealand website here.

Image credit to Biosecurity New Zealand

This work is based on/includes MPI data which is licensed by Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for re-use under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.

Last Friday, 1st March 2019, a third male Queensland fruit fly was found in Northcote. It was found in a surveillance trap less than 300 metres away from where the last fly was found in that area.

This is the fourth Queensland fruit fly discovered on Auckalnds North Shore in just over two weeks;

14th Feb - discovered in Devonport20th Feb - discovered in Northcote25th - discovered in Northcote1st March - discovered in Northcote

Despite these discoveries, there is still no evidence of a breeding population in these areas.

For more information about this discovery, please click here.

Image credit to Biosecurity New Zealand

This work is based on/includes MPI data which is licensed by Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for re-use under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.

Last Thursday a single male Queensland fruit fly was discovered in a trap in Devonport, a suburb of Auckland. Yesterday, just a week later, a second single male was found in a trap in Northcote, also a suburb of Auckland.

To prevent further spread, an area of Northcote has been placed under a Controlled Area Notice (CAN) effective today, restricting the movement of vegetables and fruits out of the area.

Despite this second find, an outbreak has not been declared.

A single male Queensland fruit fly was discovered in Devonport, a suburb of Auckland, on Thursday 14th February.

Biosecurity New Zealand has responded by placing legal controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables, and field crews have set additional fruit fly traps in order to determine whether this fruit fly is part of a wider breeding population.

The Q-Fly has previously been discovered six times in northern New Zealand, but of these only one turned out to be part of a wider breeding population.

An outbreak of Mediterranean fruit fly has been declared in Thevenard following the contamination of larvae on the 19th January 2019. This new outbreak is separate to the outbreak in Ceduna, only 3km away, which was declared on the 14th June 2018.

The 2019 Australian Biosecurity Symposium will take place on the 12th - 13th June on the Gold Coast QLD

This is a good opportunity to be involved, find out about biosecurity updates, share your ideas and network within the industry

We have three PhD positions based at the Hawkesbury Institute of the Environment at Western Sydney University examining Australian fruit fly entomopathogens, Wolbachia and other endosymbionts, and biotic mortality factors across geographic regions. For summaries of all three projects click here. If you are interested in applying for one of these positions, please discuss your eligibility and interests with A/Prof Markus Riegler (m.riegler@westernsydney.edu.au) prior to submitting an application. Applications close 19 March 2017.

The newest issue of the Prevent Fruit Fly Newsletter, published by Plant Health Australia has been released. This newsletter provides news about the National Fruit Fly Council and fruit flies in Australia. If you are interested in recieving this newsletteryou can sign up here.

We are looking for a Postooctoral Fellow to work for our Queensland Universty of Technology node. Closing date is 12 March 2017. Please click here for more information.

We have several PhD scholarships on offer with the Centre for Fruit Fly Biosecurity Innovation which involve collaborations between our partner organisations. If you are interested please see our Opportunities page for more details.

The 4th Australian Biology of Fruit Flies meeting was held on 1 December 2016 at AgriBio, La Trobe University, Melbourne, and was hosted by Drs Mark Blacket and Paul Cunningham. Tony Clarke presented a Keynote address, which was followed by presentations that covered a wide diversity of fruit fly topics, including genetics, diagnostics, larval diets, SIT, lure development climate change, cold stress, and spatial modelling. Many thanks to Mark and Paul for organising and hosting a very enjoyable meeting. The next meeting will be hosted by Macquarie University in Sydney in mid 2017

For those interested in fruit fly activities in Australia, Asia and oceania, consider becoming a member of the TAAO. For more information please click here.

The National Fruit Fly Council (NFFC) has a newsletter describing fruit fly related activities around Australia. To subscribe to the Prevent Fruit Fly newsletter, go to the NFFC website.

The 3rd FAO–IAEA International Conference on Area-wide Management of Insect Pests: Integrating the Sterile Insect and Related Nuclear and Other Techniques will take place in Vienna, Austria, from the 22-26 May 2017.

Fore more details and to register online please go to the IAEA website.