Tasmania is fruit fly free, help us keep it that way!
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Spring and summer are the peak seasons for fruit fly activity on mainland Australia, meaning it is also a time of increased risk for Tasmania. That's why Biosecurity Tasmania is asking all Tasmanians to be on the lookout for anything unusual they may find in fruit.
Biosecurity Tasmania has strict import requirements and ongoing statewide surveillance in place, all aimed at reducing the risk of fruit fly getting into Tasmania.
Tell-tale signs of fruit fly to look out for include live larvae or eggs in the flesh of fruit or small puncture marks on the skin of fruit.
Fruit fly larvae look similar to blowfly maggots and could be found in fruit that you have purchased, or from fruit grown in your backyard.
Fruit flies lay eggs in a wide range of fruits and fruiting vegetables.
Good biosecurity is a shared responsibility. Biosecurity Tasmania works closely with mainland states to help manage fruit fly risks and over the spring and summer months there are increased inspections of imported fruit fly host produce at the Tasmanian border. However, while the risk to Tasmania can be lowered it can unfortunately never be reduced to zero. This is why it's takes all of us, industry, government and the community, to keep Tasmanian fruit fly free. We all need to remain vigilant and work together to help protect Tasmania.
Anyone who notices any larvae in fruit is asked to put the fruit in a sealed bag or container and place it in the refrigerator and contact Biosecurity Tasmania on 03 6165 3777. Please DO NOT dispose of any fruit that has larvae in it.