Qfly is an invasive pest which attacks more than 300 species of fruits and vegetables and could seriously impact Western Australia’s horticulture industries and home-grown produce.
Several male Qfly were detected over recent days in the department’s surveillance traps in the Willagee and Palmyra areas prompting an immediate eradication response.
DPIRD Chief Plant Biosecurity Officer Vincent Lanoiselet said surveillance traps throughout the metropolitan area and in horticulture production areas formed a vital part of the State’s early warning biosecurity system.
Dr Lanoiselet said DPIRD would now move quickly to increase trapping and commence inspecting host plants and baiting street trees in the Willagee and Palmyra areas.
“The department’s widespread Qfly surveillance program has proven to be an effective means of early detection and the best chance of eradication,” Dr Lanoiselet said.
“We have successfully eradicated Queensland fruit fly nine times from the Perth metropolitan area since the 1980s.
“The most recent responses were in Bayswater and Belmont in 2023, Dalkeith, Claremont and Nedlands in 2020 and Coolbellup in 2021.”
Dr Lanoiselet said the community played a vital role in the biosecurity response and could support the latest eradication effort by reporting any suspect Qfly sightings to the department.
“We are asking people to look out for Qfly which are six to eight millimetres long, distinguished by a red-brownish torso with yellow patches, a dark brown abdomen and clear wings,” he said.
“It’s also really important for DPIRD officers to be able to access private land with host trees and plants to conduct trapping, inspections and baiting.
“Residents can expect to receive a card in their letterboxes asking them to contact the department to discuss appropriate access to carry out these activities.”
Reports of suspected Qfly can be made to DPIRD’s Pest and Disease Information Service on 9368 3080 or via the MyPestGuide Reporter app or website
More information on Qfly and the biosecurity response can be found on the department’s website https://www.wa.gov.au/qfly as the response progresses.
