Kamis, 10 Mei 2012

New Zealand: SINGLE Australian fly threatens £2bn fruit and vegetable industry

New Zealand: SINGLE Australian fly threatens £2bn fruit and vegetable industry

  • Flies 'sting' fruit then larva eat it from inside
  • Panic sparked by single fly in Auckland
  • Described as 'world's worst fruit pest'

By Richard Shears

PUBLISHED: 07:33 EST, 10 May 2012 | UPDATED: 19:05 EST, 10 May 2012

An entire suburb in New Zealand has been put on 'lockdown' and the nation is on Red Alert after the capture of a feared invader.

Jitters spread throughout the country after the discovery of a single male Queensland fruit fly, described as the world's worst fruit pest.

It was trapped in the Auckland suburb of Mount Roskill - and resulted in the entire area being declared a 'controlled zone', meaning that no fruit or vegetables can be removed.

Jitters spread throughout the country after the discovery of a single male Queensland fruit fly, described as the world's worst fruit pest

Jitters spread throughout the country after the discovery of a single male Queensland fruit fly, described as the world's worst fruit pest

Such is the concern about the discovery of the tiny fly, which is about twice the size of a match head, that Primary Industries Minister David Carter ordered the country's trading partners, which include Britain, about the alarm.

Fruit flies are feared by all fruit-producing nations because they puncture the skin to lay their eggs.

The fruit surrounding the egg begins to rot and then, when the eggs hatch, the maggots start gnawing through the rest of the fruit causing it to fall, wasted, to the ground.

The single fly found in the Auckland suburb has terrified the government, which regards it as a sign that others might be prevalent, threatening the £2 billion fruit and vegetable export industry.

As the biochemistry experts searched the suburb for other flies, Mr Carter said this was a potentially serious biosecurity issue and it was important to start notifying the country's trading partners.

'We need to quickly find out whether this trapping involves a single insect or whether a breeding population has been established - in which case an eradication response will be commenced immediately,' he said.

Mr Peter Silcock, chief executive of Horticulture New Zealand, said the industry, which is in the middle of its export season, was waiting with 'bated breath' for further developments.

Queensland fruit flies

Queensland fruit flies 'sting' fruit - the fruit surrounding the egg begins to rot and then, when the eggs hatch, the maggots start gnawing through the rest of the fruit causing it to fall, wasted, to the ground

'There's only one fly, it's a male and we're hoping that's all there is,' he said.

It is the first time a fruit fly has been discovered in New Zealand since the discovery of a Mediterranean fruit by in 1996.

It is believed the Queensland fruit fly has arrived through fresh fruit - but there are fears that others have come with it.

Mr Carter said that 'while it is a serious potential issue, I don't we we should over-react if we are dealing with a single trapping.'

Here's what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

The comments below have not been moderated.

  • Newest
  • Oldest
  • Best rated
  • Worst rated

This would be another blow to a country that has been really knocked around. Earthquakes, Kiwi fruit disease, leaky buildings, Didymo in south Island rivers, worst child abuse statistics in the western world, something going on with the bees, Giardia in every stream and waterway in the country, about the worst car exhaust emissions in any country, a net loss of over one hundred thousand people in recent times to Australia all this a more in a country of just over 4 million people. But still it keeps bouncing back. Remarkable. Just don't mention foot and mouth. That would cause a stampede. - cyrjames, Berwick UK, 10/5/2012 20:45 Did a kiwi girl knock you back, a bit twisted and personal aren't you. Oh, I almost forgot. The most promiscuous young people in the western world. Fact.

Report abuse

That news will cause a Buzz!! Lol :-)

Report abuse

Kiwis are paranoid about this kind of thing and panic very quickly at the slightest threat. In efforts to protect a threatened species of bird, they have fitted individual CTV cameras over each nest. Can you imagine how much that costs? And panic buying has to be seen to be believed.

Report abuse

They have been working on robot bees that can sense drugs etc, fly to the source and thereby identify it. In other words you can let them lose at an airport and they will go to explosives or whatever they are programmed for. If the technology was complete they could sniff out fruit flys and have so many other uses. I hope the crops are safe now.

Report abuse

A deliberate introduction? Bio.terrorism

Report abuse

Actually, a single fly has been found, it was a male and no breeding parter has been found yet. Biosecurity has warned against a panic, and currently we are not on red alert. Why the arm flapping DM over something that isnt doom and gloom yet?

Report abuse

OZ IS IS THE WORST COUNTRY ON EARTH WITH SNAKES, SPIDERS AND ALL GERMS TO POISON WORLD. YET GET ON OZ AIRPORT, YOU WILL SEE HOW THEY SPRAY YOUR PLANE AND GIVE YOU JAIL FOR BRINGING STUFF FROM EUROPE. IDIOTS, JUST THIS.

Report abuse

This would be another blow to a country that has been really knocked around. Earthquakes, Kiwi fruit disease, leaky buildings, Didymo in south Island rivers, worst child abuse statistics in the western world, something going on with the bees, Giardia in every stream and waterway in the country, about the worst car exhaust emissions in any country, a net loss of over one hundred thousand people in recent times to Australia all this a more in a country of just over 4 million people. But still it keeps bouncing back. Remarkable. Just don't mention foot and mouth. That would cause a stampede. - cyrjames, Berwick UK, 10/5/2012 20:45 Did a kiwi girl knock you back, a bit twisted and personal aren't you.

Report abuse

This would be another blow to a country that has been really knocked around. Earthquakes, Kiwi fruit disease, leaky buildings, Didymo in south Island rivers, worst child abuse statistics in the western world, something going on with the bees, Giardia in every stream and waterway in the country, about the worst car exhaust emissions in any country, a net loss of over one hundred thousand people in recent times to Australia all this a more in a country of just over 4 million people. But still it keeps bouncing back. Remarkable. Just don't mention foot and mouth. That would cause a stampede.

Report abuse

I think the ockers did this..they are still in a huff because the world Trade council ordered that they allow our apples into Oz..they don't like that because they know our apples are simply the best....or the Aussies are trying to distract our powerful rugby team who they have'nt beaten in a series for at least 12yrs now lolol

Report abuse

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Diposting oleh di

Tidak ada komentar:

Posting Komentar

Langganan: Posting Komentar (Atom)