Biosecurity preparedness for Oriental Fruit Fly

Fruit flies are the most economically damaging insect pests of Australian horticulture, rendering fruit unmarketable and impeding interstate and international market access. Control tactics for the management of fruit flies range from surveillance systems, and pre-harvest and post-harvest control systems, to an export certification system. A combination of more than one control tactic is essential for effective management of fruit flies. Oriental fruit fly (OFF) is one of the most notorious biosecurity threats globally, and during the last 15 years has expanded dramatically its distribution affecting large areas in Africa and South East Asia. In Africa, losses due to trade restrictions caused by the spread of OFF are estimated to be US$ 2 billion annually, while the annual crop losses resulting from OFF infestation in major crops in Hawaii amount to US$ 3 million and more. To date, OFF has not established populations in Australia, but several recent interceptions in the north of the country indicate the severe threat that it poses as a highly invasive pest. If OFF had established in northern Queensland during the incursion from 1995-1999 the resulting annual management costs were estimated to be AUS$ 7-8 million.