Queensland outbreak prompts fruit and vegie quarantine and tree stripping in Dalkeith, Nedlands, Claremont

It’s the coronavirus causing lock-downs in WA at the moment. A different form of quarantine is also in place in some of Perth’s most affluent suburbs, following an outbreak of the Queensland fruit fly which could wreak substantial damage on WA’s $1 billion horticulture damage if it became established. The WA Government has introduced a quarantine area in Dalkeith and parts of Claremont and Nedlands to prevent the movement of home-grown fruit and fruiting vegetables out of the area. And as part of the eradication efforts, Department of Primary Industry and Regional Development officers are working with about 1450 residents, requiring their citrus, stone fruit and olive trees, and tomato, chilli and capsicum plants to be stripped of fruit. The call comes at a time when there is a surge in popularity for home grown food, because of uncertainty over the coronavirus. DPIRD has also placed more than 300 lure traps in the area and is treating targeted plants with an organic insecticide. The pest was first detected in late March, but efforts have been ramped up in recent days. Queenslad fruit fly attacks a wide range of fruits and fruiting vegetables and while found in parts of eastern Australia, it is not established in WA. Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan said she acknowledged measures such as removing backyard fruit and fruiting vegetables would be tough for residents in affected areas. "But we need to act quickly and decisively to minimise further loss. If we don't undertake these strong measures now to eradicate this pest, we place future production at risk - not only for our commercial growers but also for Perth residents wanting to grow fruit and fruiting vegetables in their garden,” she said. The response is being exercised in a way that will not contribute to the risk of COVID-19 spread in the local community and will be taking measures to ensure this. "We know that with co-operation between the local community and government we can eradicate this pest - we have done it seven times in Perth since the 1980s - and we are looking to again achieve a successful result against this significant incursion,” she said. Adult Queensland fruit fly are about 6-8 mm long, have three body segments, wings and six legs. The head has two red eyes with two very short antennae.