It is a different species to the Queensland fruit fly
The solitary male fly was identified late yesterday.
No other facialis fruit flies have been found.
Ministry for Primary Industries director general Ray Smith says facialis is native to Tonga where it badly affects crops of capsicum and chilli, but appears to be less harmful to other fruit and vegetables.
It is a tropical fruit fly species so New Zealand’s climate may not provide an ideal home for it.
“As with the fruit fly in Devonport, we need to determine if it’s a lone specimen or if there’s a population of these flies in the area.
“To do this, we’re setting more traps in the area around the find. And while we look for more flies, we have restricted the movement of fruit and vegetables to stop the spread of any other facialis fruit flies that may be out there,” Smith says.
Biosecurity New Zealand (a division of MPI) has declared a Controlled Area around the location where the facialis fly was trapped. Residents in the Otara area can find full information about what they need to do at: www.biosecurity.govt.nz/fruitfly
If local people believe they have seen signs of this fruit fly or found larvae (like white grains of rice) in fruit, they should call the response team on 0800 80 99 66.
