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Threat: Queensland fruit fly (QFF) is widely recognised as one of the world’s worst economic pests of fruit. Apart from lowering production and making fruit inedible, it has severe effects on trade to sensitive local and international markets.
About the pest: Adult QFF are about 7mm long and brownish in colour, with distinctive yellow markings. Females lay their eggs into soft and ripening host fruit. Larvae (maggots - up to 10mm long) emerge from the eggs and cause damage by living and feeding within the fruit, which may appear intact from the outside.
Spread: QFF are spread by the movement of uncertified host fruit out of infested areas.
A number of management zones have been established to protect horticultural production areas from QFF. See the Tri-State Fruit Fly Program website for a map of the QFF zones.
More information:
Primary Industries and Resources South Australia
New South Wales Department of Primary Industries
Victorian Department of Primary Industries
Greater Sunraysia Pest Free Area
Photo: Victorian Department of Primary Industries
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